What are Ball Joints?

They're critical parts of your vehicle's front suspension, as are the bushings and bearings that accompany them. They're made up of balls and sockets, connecting links and facilitating their movements. What this does is create pivots between steering knuckles and control arms. This structure helps you stay in control of your ride while you're driving.

Over time, however, any ball joint can wear out. Unfortunately, when that happens, problems invariably follow. Luckily, such symptoms are relatively easy to spot.

Signs of a Failing or Bad Ball Joint

For one, your steering can feel loose or vibrate, and you may hear unusual noises while steering. This can indicate a loose ball joint in the front suspension. Secondly, you may notice that your tires are excessively worn. This can indicate improper contact with the road, and the culprit is most likely related wheel misalignment. If one of your ball joints has begun transferring its motion to its control arm bushings, however, and damage has resulted, then the joint's almost certainly locked up.

A failed ball joint, though, is perhaps the worst-case scenario, as its stud will often separate from its housing, or worse, just plain break. At that point, sheer inertia will make your wheels move in different directions, and most likely, you'll immediately lose control of your vehicle. The wheels can even hit your fenders and drag the tires until you step on the brakes.

Not to worry. Replacing ball joints is easy and relatively inexpensive. All you'll need for the job in most cases is a press kit, C-clamp, some adapters, and a few basic tools, including socket air tools. The best parts for any repair project, however, are the genuine article, versus those on the aftermarket.

Why Buy Genuine Mopar vs. Aftermarket Ball Joints?

The brand designs them compatible with your brand and model, right from the get-go. That kind of guarantee, the aftermarket for suspension parts can't always make.

Where to Order Genuine OEM Ball Joints Online

You can take care of it right here at our auto parts store. Simply select your make, model, and model year in our catalog first; it's not only the fastest way to browse but also the easiest way to find what fits your vehicle. Buy now, and we'll ship straightaway, directly to your door. We ship nationwide, most in-stock parts ship in around 24 hours, and other parts ship in as little as 2-3 business days. Ground and expedited shipping are available for select parts and accessories, too, and returns and cancellations are hassle-free -- just check out our shipping and returns policies for more info.

Need expert buying advice? Maybe you just have a question or concern, and you're looking for answers. We're here for you. Feel free to get in touch with us anytime; we'll connect you to a team of parts specialists that'll be glad to help.