Why It's Unsafe To Drive With Bad Ball Joints

In this video I explain why it is unsafe to drive with bad ball joints. I go over three different scenarios of how a ball joint can be bad and how each three of those cases can cause your vehicle to be dangerous to drive. The first scenario I go over is a ball joint that has gotten so loose that it actually pops out of the socket. When this happens control of the vehicle is lost and in the worst case scenario control of the vehicle can be lost while driving. When this occurs the wheel on the side of the vehicle where the ball joint popped out is only partially connected to the vehicle. In the second scenario I explain how a loose ball joint can intermittently cause the vehicle to go out of alignment. When this happens it can cause the vehicle to pull either to the left or right. This is unsafe as the vehicle should only travel in the direction intended by the driver. In the last scenario I explain how a ball joint can actually seize or become difficult to articulate. This is usually caused by rust build up or lack of lubrication in the ball joint and can cause the vehicle to become difficult to turn. This is unsafe because a vehicle needs to be able to steer easily. Not being able to steer easily makes it difficult to maneuver around obstacles and this is not safe.

In many cases ball joint wear is caused by improper lubrication. This can be caused by not lubricating ball joints (for ball joints that are serviceable.) or by ruptured ball joint boots. When ball joint boots rupture this allows the lubricant to escape and allows moisture and dirt to enter the ball joint. This begins the process of wearing down the ball joint. Busted boots are not good, but it does not necessarily mean that the ball joint is bad. Some techs may advise to just replace the boot while others may recommend ball joint replacement. (I suggest the later as usually when a boot is found to be busted it probably has been busted for a very long time. Just my opinion)

DISCLAIMER
This is only an informational video and is not a how to video. The information given in this video is superficial in nature and only goes over a few scenarios how a ball joint can cause a vehicle to be dangerous to drive. (there are other ways in which a ball joint can be faulty. The examples given in the video are just a few common ways that I have seen a ball joint fail or be faulty). This video is not a comprehensive video explaining all the nuances of automotive steering and suspension theory and operation and diagnostics. If you are not confident that your vehicle is safe to drive and are not sure how to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle then it would be advised to have a professional technician handle the situation.