A vehicle’s front suspension is one of the most remarkable systems in the world. Front suspension systems consist of a variety of control links and hubs, and they do not just allow your front wheels to move independently to give you a smooth ride. They also allow you to make your vehicles turn left or right together, so that your vehicle can go where you need it to.
Although the front suspension can be divided into a number of types, such as upper and lower control arms, and the MacPherson strut as well, they all have one thing in common: they all possess a ball joint that enables them to do as they are designed to. Ball joints can be extremely dangerous if they fail, because their failure can have dire consequences. Here we will discuss some of the symptoms and signs of a failing ball joint so you can know when to seek professional help.
A typical vehicle today has a front suspension system that uses an upper and lower control arm to attach the wheel hub to your vehicle, or else a MacPherson strut and one control arm to attach the wheel hub to your Toyota 4Runner. On the outer side of each control arm, on which your wheels and tires are mounted, you will see wheel hubs, which remain essentially vertical throughout the entire pivoting of the control arms which raise and lower the wheels. There is also a direct connection between your hubs and your steering system. This means that the hubs must be able to pivot to the left and right at any point during their upward and downward travel.
There are three main components of your wheel hubs that play a crucial role in connecting the hubs to the control arms. A universally pivoting wheel hub allows your vehicle to have a smooth ride and can be precisely controlled by a pivoting control arm so that you can enjoy a safe and comfortable ride.
There are ball joints that can last 70,000 miles or more, however they are not indestructible. Your unique driving behavior, road conditions, and your exposure to road splashes and salt will determine their actual lifespan. As time goes on, the tolerance between the ball and the socket will get closer together and, therefore, the ball joint will become loose as the ball and socket wears together.
TRW Ball Joint JBJ553
By using advanced technologies, safety, quality, and performance tests on the road and in the laboratory are carried out with the highest level of accuracy. Dust covers, made from the highest quality rubber, have a long durability and make it so that no dust or liquid can enter the ball joint, thus greatly improving the life-span and reliability of the part.
- Designed to be manufactured by forging steel instead of forming steel.
- Polymer bearings with low friction which improve damping and reliability.
- The quality hardware and installation accessories that come with original equipment
MOOG Ball Joint
There are many entry-level ball joints out there, but Moog is one of the best out there when it comes to ball joints that are both extremely sturdy and also offer a high level of compatibility.
It is not surprising that the MOOG K80026 ball joint is ranked as the first item on this list as it is the cheapest option listed here. Aside from the low price tag, you get such a low number of pieces in the box as there is only one ball joint included.
Thanks to its versatility, this one ball joint is a good choice for a wide range of 4WD vehicles, such as cars and trucks. This ball joint from Moog is not only versatile, but it is also quite sturdy because of both its excellent quality of construction and the lifetime warranty that it offers its users.
Tera Flex Ball Joints
It is true that TeraFlex is highly premium and on the expensive side when compared to other brands and options related to ball joints for cars, but to be expected from such high-quality ball joints.
There are a lot of ball joint packs that you can choose from, but TeraFlex’s 3442002 ball joint pack comes in at the 2nd spot of this list. It is a total of four ball joints in the box for all four wheels of your car, so you can find a total of 4 ball joints for all four wheels of your car.
Designed primarily for Jeep Wrangler models, these four ball joints are primarily used on these models. In view of the fact that TeraFlex and its ball joints are quite costly and premium, it is to be expected that this product offers exceptional build quality, as well as a lifetime warranty.
Detroit Axle – Front Upper Lower Ball Joints
In terms of the car spare parts, Detroit Axle is a brand that can provide axles, suspensions, bushings, and even ball joints that make it an alternative for many buyers.
In case you are looking for spare parts for your motorcycle, Detroit Axle can provide you with a highly economical and flexible ball joint pack which is highly versatile. To begin with, this Detroit Axle ball joint pack, although offering a reasonably low price tag, includes no less than 4 ball joints in each box.
This package size will fulfill the needs of all those with Jeep Grand Jeep Cherokees, Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Comanches or Jeep Wagoneers, in which case there is an option for replacing all of the ball joints. Nevertheless, it does include a 10-year long warranty, which is quite decent, despite its not being the highest.
Suspension Dudes Front Upper Lower Ball Joints
This company is related to auto spare parts that are either meant to replace or fit into your suspension so that your car can function correctly as a result of the parts.
If you are looking for something similar to the Detroit Axle ball joints that not only offer a large number of ball joints at a low price tag but also contain a high level of durability, then the Suspension Dudes ball joint pack may be another option to consider. It is worth noting that you are getting a total of four ball joints in this package, which means that you are getting super value for money.
However, it is important to note that there is some limitation on the compatibility of these ball joints. Suspension Dudes’ 10-year warranty on ball joints means that either of these cars will be getting a sturdy ball joint setup thanks to the company’s warranty.