Lucky to be alive...
They came from Napa.. thats all I know.. I asked them for wheel studs and wheel lugs for my truck.. According to Napa, the wobble in the Ball Joint can cause pressure on wheel studs, and shear them.. Oh well, Im done with it today, Ive been outside for the last 8 hours trying to remove the old ball joint.. Not happening..
Champion
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 2
From: Ft Campbell, KY/TN
i had this happen to me about 2 months ago. it was the front right wheel. I thought it was coming from the front left, or was from the front brqkes (lines or calipers). There was a ticking sound. Then the ride got WOBBLY on the way back from dropping my daughter back from school.
One lug nut was remaining and the rest were sheared off. I called my INS company and told them that someone probably tried to steal the rims (the lug nut that was remaining was the lock nut). I said that because my neighbor had gotten his truck broken into 6 months earlier in his driveway.
Anyway, the insurance covered the 154 dollar garage bill with my 100 dollar deductible. I saved 50 bucks and decided to check the rest of my bolts.
About the ball joints, they seemed good to me with no play. Even the shop said nothing else in the suspension and steering was wrong.
Also, when you are doing your wheels., sometimes the holes are bigger than the bolts, so you have to rotate the tire as you hand tight each nut and go around. That way you get a good "seal" with the nuts to the inside of the hole.
One lug nut was remaining and the rest were sheared off. I called my INS company and told them that someone probably tried to steal the rims (the lug nut that was remaining was the lock nut). I said that because my neighbor had gotten his truck broken into 6 months earlier in his driveway.
Anyway, the insurance covered the 154 dollar garage bill with my 100 dollar deductible. I saved 50 bucks and decided to check the rest of my bolts.
About the ball joints, they seemed good to me with no play. Even the shop said nothing else in the suspension and steering was wrong.
Also, when you are doing your wheels., sometimes the holes are bigger than the bolts, so you have to rotate the tire as you hand tight each nut and go around. That way you get a good "seal" with the nuts to the inside of the hole.
I went ahead and FINALLY changed out the ball joint.. Man was that hard work! After torching the heck out of it, half and hour later it taps out with a hammer.. Anyway, I got it all back together and so far no noise and everything is staying tight.. I have been rechecking them everyday.. My steering is alot sturdier to.. This one was obvious though, the ball joint was a wreck. I know what you mean about that ticking noise!! The first time mine came off, it kept making a sound like stretching rubber.. then all of a sudden the tire is racing off toward the front end of a brand new suv.. (That didnt end well.. Busted axle and tore off front bumper!) Anyway, I replaced the whole wheel bearing cause it was catching, new lugs.. And this time I heard the clicking, which eventually became grinding in the turns.. I dont want to go through all this again!