Is there a specific way to test condition of ball joints? and is it true that the control arm must be replaced if they are bad?

I am getting a intermittent clunk when making left hand turns only, it is mostly heard when giving increasing excelleration while in the turn, does not do it while driving slowly...had both axles replaced, so I dont suspect them. thats why I am thinking ball joints or possibly a-fram bushings.

Thanks for input if you have had this problem and a fix!

 

Have you already checked and ruled out a bad upper strut mount or bearing up top?

 

I had a ball joint replaced. No you do not need a new control arm. Way to check em the easiest is jack up the car or put the car on a lift. Grab the top and bottom the wheel and move it towards you and away from you. Not up and down rather in and out. If there is any movement it's likely your ball joints are bad. Also excessive play in the steering wheel as well will likely be your ball joints.

 

It sounds like your control arm bushings are shot, or the strut mount bearing as staed above.

Replace or check the upper strut bearing first, as it's cheaper, then move on to the ball joint/control arm.

Most control arms come with bushings and the ball joint, or the the ball joint and bushings can be bought separate but I would buy the whole control arm set if you find this to be your problem.

 

Harris gives good aDVICE HERE. IF THERE IS PLAY IT CAN ALSO BE A WHEEL BEARING SO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE IS PLAY HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT OR PUT THEIR HAND ON THE BALLJOINT ITSELF TO MAKE SURE THAT IS THE PROBLEM AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IS WHERE THE MOVEMENT IS COMING FROM. IF THE BALLJOINT IS OKAY I WOULD LEAN TOWARD A BAD STRUT OR STRUT MOUNT.

 

Thanks bossman, a wheel bearing a bad one rather will usually create a VERY loud hum when driving on the highway. A bad strut would cause a very shaky ride, bounce the car up and down it should bounce down and bounce up without movement, nice and firm and if the strut is good. A bad strut mount would cause a clunk clunk sound when going over bumps.

 

do this test.....turn your car on and sit at a stop...., move the steering wheel back and forth.....everytime you change direction of the steering, do you hear or feel a slight clunk feedback? then it's most likely your strut bearings....also....after you leave you car over night, back right out of you spot without turning your wheel, then turn your wheel....does the first turn of the wheel in the mornings produce a clunk? then it's definitely your strut bearings....which are known to go on your cars....

ball joints normally don't go on maximas...they do wear down mind you....but they are one of the last suspension components to go kinda like the outer tie rod ends....which were very common on the Z32's to go in old age....but not on our cars...on our cars, it's the strut bearings.....they don't really cause any harm...to any of your suspension or car...so just replace them at your leisure or if you plan on getting struts in the next year or so replace them then...!

but definitely don't rule out ball joints....

 

The best way to test out ball joints is to have the car jacked up like Harris and Larry said. Also check the little rubber cover the ball joints have to see if they are broken. If it is, then time to change them, once dirt and crap gets in there you have problems.

By the way this is going to sound like out of the ordinary but also check your motor mounts they may cause that clunking sound as well.

 

Guys,,you are great with all this info!!

1: The noise does not occur when going over bumps, so I guess this rules out strut mounts.

2: when turning steering wheel full left to right several times, no noise, so that rules out strut bearings.


So I guess check the ball joints or control arm bushings?
What is way to check for bad bushings?

Thanks again.

 

Look at the busings and see if they are worn out. On my car the control arm bushings were almost completely gone and it was metal against metal. Bad bushings will be dry and flaky and crusty. If you jack the car up and move the control arm you might be able to see some play in it as well.

Like I said before check your motor mounts since you said its when your turning and accelerating. My motor mounts are dead and I get a clunk every time I accelerate from a full stop.

 

The clunking noise happens more readily the sharper the turn is to the left and with greater acceleration in the turn, possibly a mount?? have to check that. thanks.

 

One of my ball joints was bad. Turning was sloppy and felt kind of shifty. Given that my control arm bushings were shot also (1995), I decided to get two new control arms. I am glad I did as the ride is so smooth and supple now--like when it was new!

BTW, clunking can also be shot fsb endlinks--the ball joint there is prone to rusting out if the boot is compromised.

 

Noise when turning most def. your CV Boot, joint... get the whole axle replaced. Check for tears in the boot.

 

no noise when turning left without moderate to heavy acceleration, only when getting on it,,,I already have both new axles.

if it was a cv joint,,,wouldnt it constant click when you r in the turn with or without acceleration?

 

so if you get new control arms...is just takes care of everything....ball joints and all?

 

I got two brand new control arms off of ebay for $105

 

You can get the entire control arm with the ball joints already.

Or you can take just the ball joints out, you dont have to take control arm off the car to remove them.
What I did was replace my ball joints and put in a set of energy suspension bushings.

 

Did you do the job yourself?
What would this job cost...breakdown for the ball joints and bushings?
Can you explain what the energy suspension bushings are.. thx Russ.

 

my friends dad owns a shop so he said he'll give me half off of whatever the labor is....and give me his cost for the parts....but what is the labor for replacing ball joints without replacing or removing the control arms? 4 hrs? I would have him replace the strut bearings as well...so I am guessing 5 hrs of labor tops...?? is that a conservative estimate...?? for both sides....