What does a bad ball joint feel like when driving?

metallic clunking noise: one of the most noticeable and common symptoms of a bad ball joint is a clunking or knocking noise when the suspension moves up and down. a worn ball joint will begin to rattle inside the socket when driving over an uneven road, rough terrain, potholes or speed bumps.

What happens if you drive with a bad lower ball joint?

You should not drive with a bad ball joint. Continuing to drive can cause damage to other vehicle components and if the joint fails completely you could lose control of the vehicle, leading to a crash and injuries.

What does a bad lower ball joint sound like?

Sound — Usually the first indication of worn or loose ball joints will be a faint, intermittent clunking noise that seems to be coming from a corner of your vehicle. The sound may be more pronounced when going over a bump or a dip or when going around a corner.

How do you diagnose a bad ball joint?

Use the pry bar and attempt to pry the lower control arm and the steering knuckle (the two components connected by the ball joint). Excessive amounts of play and movement or clicking sounds are a sign that your ball joints are too loose.

How much does it cost to have lower ball joints replaced?

So, what is the cost to replace ball joints? You might be surprised to learn that replacing a ball joint is not overly expensive. You can expect to pay around $300 in most cases, including both parts and labor. Most ball joints cost about $100 to $150, while the labor costs will run you $150 to $200.

What are two ways of checking ball joint wear?

Grasp the top and bottom of the tyre and rock it in and out along the wheel’s vehicle axis. If the ball joints are working well, there should be little to no play in this movement. Noise and play from the top – this indicates a problem with the upper ball joint.