if a balljoint were to break at a speed of 55 or so what would happen, would there be any warning beforehand?

Question

somebody did check it out and said they were going bad but it would be $502 to fix so my brother is taking it to his house about 30 miles away to fix and I was just wondering how safe that would or wouldn't be

Answer 1

Hi!

Which of the balljoints are you referring to? Upper or lower?
Balljoints are major components of a vehicle's front alignment system, and you'll notice that something is really wrong *long* before the parts break.
There are four adjustments to your tires that are integral to your alignment. If your balljoints are going, you'll see that your tire is wonky even when your parked, and it will be at an unnatural angle when the rest of the tires are lined up straight forward. Your vehicle will pull strongly toward the least damaged side. But this will not last for long, as this pulling will quickly damage the other side too. You'll feel as well as hear loud popping noises when you have to turn toward the damaged side, and your vehicle will feel like it's "floating" when you go around a tight curve. Just driving in a straight line will be a constant battle at any speed, but at 55 mph, you'll feel it quite strongly. If you managed to drive the vehicle so long after all of these obvious symptoms appeared, a separating balljoint at 55 mph will cause you to feel a sudden lift followed by a sharp drop and uncontrollable pull toward the still operating side. You are definitely off the road, and possibly hitting someone else, and there's *nothing* you can do to stop it. Your tire will twist at a sharp angle, either in or out, and forward or back, depending on which of the pair of balljoints breaks, and which tie rod ends will then snap. This may or may not cause an inertial swing about, with your vehicle suddenly stopping on, and it's butt swinging around, the twisted tire. You're vehicle's not going anywhere after that, except on a tow truck, and for you, an ambulance, if they can find where you were slung out into the weeds. The vehicle will be completely inoperable, and it will be considered totaled by your insurance company. If you were not seatbelted properly, this is an accident that can easily kill or maim you, and it will definitely cause greater harm to anyone who is on the wrong side of you when the accident happens. Safe driving!

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
if a balljoint were to break at a speed of 55 or so what would happen, would there be any warning beforehand?

Answer 3

A ball joint is a steel bearing stud and socket enclosed in a steel casing. The bearing stud is tapered and threaded. It fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A protective encasing prevents dirt from getting into the joint assembly.

Maintenance

Sealed ball joints do not require lubrication as they are "lubed for life" but standard ball joints must be lubed from time to time. It's best to inspect standard ball joints once a year. Generally speaking, standard ball joints will outlive sealed ones because eventually the seal will break, causing the joint to dry out and rust. While there is no exact lifespan that can be put on a sealed ball joint, they can fail as early as 125,000 miles. Signs of a failing ball joint start with a clicking or snapping sound when the wheel is turned and eventually turns into a squeaking sound at the end of a stop, when the gas pedal is used and/or also when hitting bumps. Please note that if a ball joint fails, the results can be dangerous as the wheel will attempt to fall off the vehicle, causing one to lose control. Because the tire will be at an odd angle the vehicle will come to a screeching halt, damaging the tire. Also, during failure debris can fly out at orbital speeds, damaging other parts of the vehicle. When there is evidence of a failing ball joint it is best to avoid pot holes, especially at high speeds, as these will cause stress on the ball joint.

Answer 4

Best to have it towed---a ball joint snapping off at 55 mph would not be a pretty site, let alone 20 or 30 mph and could really hurt someone as well as do major damage to your car. Basically, the wheel involved would dangle from the other ball joint or strut and the car would be grinding on the road as well as lose control. Why take a chance if your going to save some bucks anyway.

Answer 5

You dont want a ball joint to break at 55. You should hear some clunking and sloppiness in the steering before that happens. If you are concerned have a pro check it out. The guy before mis understood your question there are no safety chains for ball joints, there are for trailer hitch balls....two different things.

Answer 6

No warning if a ball joint breaks. Most anytime any suspension part breaks it just does...with no warning. Consequences vary with the part. The ball joint breaks your car will come to a grinding halt....we can only hope.

Answer 7

Get Joint Pain Relief Codes!

Answer 8

Broken Ball Joint

Answer 9

WOULD that be an UPPER ball joint or a LOWER one ?? Would that be the FRONT or REAR BALL joint - like on REAL Hummers that have 4 Ball joints in the front & 4 in the rear..& I don't think they make early warning Ball Joint Detectors ? [yet]

Answer 10

Ball Joint Failure