Ball Joint Failure...Don't Ignore the Squeak

Tony911Z · Tony911Z's Garage

My SC's front end had been squeaking for a couple of months and would subside after I sprayed white lithium grease around suspension joints. I thought I had a bushing issue until my ball joint failed completely, luckily at low speeds.

KNS · 11-27-2013, 06:50 AM

Wow, good thing you weren't taking a corner at 50 mph. How many miles?

Charles Freeborn · Charles Freeborn's Garage

Yep, got your money's worth out of that one...

SiberianDVM · SiberianDVM's Garage

Ouch!

I'm right in the middle of a suspension upgrade on my track car: 235,000 mile 84 Targa. So far, every joint, bushing, and bearing that i have replaced has been solid and fully functional. Shocks were a bit worn, though.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Wow, count your blessings you weren't going that fast. I finally replaced my 40 year old ball joints a couple of years ago, even though they seemed fine. Glad I did after seeing this.
Squeeking on the front is usually caused by worn A arm bushings causing the torsion bar to rub. You might want to consider a complete suspension refresh.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 09:33 AM

This happened to me about 20 years ago. It never squeaked, but the steering did become noticeably stiffer days before the joint failed as the ball was working it's way out. This was on a 1966 suspension. Glad you are okay. I was going slow too and was near the house. I walked home, got some tools, removed the wheel, propped the suspension on an old skateboard, and drove the car home very slowly on the skateboard. Although I was super proud of my macgyverness, it's one of those butt puckering "what-if" scenarios "if only I had been going faster", etc...
Ron