A ball joint is a spherical bearing used to unite two suspension system components of a car. In an automobile or truck's front suspension, it offers a pivot point between the steering knuckle and control arm. Its major purpose is to maintain the wheels' correct alignment while enabling the steering and suspension systems to operate smoothly and effectively together.
The ball joint can travel in all directions, including up and down, side to side, and in a rotational direction. As a result, the wheel can go up and down over uneven patches of ground without losing stability or alignment with the suspension system. The ball joint smoothes out passengers' rides by absorbing forces applied to the suspension system while the car is in motion.
A vehicle's suspension system depends heavily on its ball joints, and worn or damaged ones can cause poor handling and alignment problems. Uneven tire wear, clunking or squeaking noises from the front suspension, and severe vibration or shaking while driving are all indicators of a damaged ball joint. To keep your car's suspension system operating safely and effectively, it's critical to have ball joints tested frequently and replaced when necessary.
