Ball joints consist of a ball and a socket that provides pivoting movement between the steering knuckles and allows you to precisely control your vehicle. It is a small component of the car but its function is very important. It is just like a hip joint of a human body and is a small metal ball present inside a metal socket. It allows vehicle rotary movement. A poor quality ball joint may affect the stability of your car. Selecting the right type of ball joint for your vehicle is very important as it helps to improve your driving performance. It also ensures your safety on the road.
A worn ball joint can have a significant effect on your steering and suspension and these can have a variety of knock-on effects that affect your driving experience and your safety. A failed joint can have a catastrophic effect on your vehicle that includes falling off the wheel from your vehicle. The best way to avoid it is to replace the ball joint. If you are not sure which ball joints are the right choice for you, have a look at our buying guide because we have discussed all the key features and it might help you in finding the best ball joints for your car.
10 Best Ball Joints For Cars
NO.1 Moog k6541 Ball Joint
Moog ball joint has a metal-to-metal design that provides strength and it helps to reduce friction by flowing grease through the bearing surface. Its greaseable socket reduces corrosion and wear by allowing new lubricant to flush contaminants.
It keeps all the dirt and water out by having pre-installed dust boot shields. Its Belleville preload washer helps keep the bearing package tight as bearings wear. It is very easy to install as its steering alignment gives you a perfect fit. It fixes Cadillac, Chevy and GMC vehicles.
Pros
- Improves chassis performance
- Long lasting
- Enhances the durability
- Easy installation
- Best quality in reasonable price
Cons
- Replacing or refunding is hard through Amazon
NO.2 TeraFlex 3442002 Ball Joints
These aftermarket ball joints are specifically designed to handle the increased load that is caused by oversized tires and offset wheels. In order to prevent rust or corrosion, they have magnesium phosphate coating on them.
They have Dual helical grease grooves machined in the retaining ring that allow spent grease to exit through the low-profile seal. Low-profile seal prevents contaminants as well as allowing spent grease to evacuate from the ball joint. They are adjustable and made up of high quality material so they last long.
Pros
- Strong enough to handle immense pressure
- Parts are of high quality
- Magnesium phosphate coating inhibits corrosion
- Adjustable
- Low profile seal prevents contaminants
Cons
- Installation guide is not included
NO.3 ACDelco 46D2272A Advantage Front Lower Suspension Ball Joint Assembly
They are high quality durable ball joints that can undergo extreme impact, wear and fatigue. Their coating prevents them from corrosion or rust and they have forged, machined shell that provide them strength.
They are very economical replacement components for your GM and non-GM vehicle. They connect your vehicle’s control arm to its steering knuckle and feature a polyurethane dust boot and one-piece housing. These ball joints are best and are available at an economical price.
Pros
- Economical price
- Corrosion resistant
- Forged housing for durability
- Universal fit
- Compatible for GM and non-GM vehicles
Cons
- Available as a single piece
NO.4 American Star Upper Ball Joints (2)
These ball joints are made up of 4130 Chromoly Aircraft Grade Steel and they are highly durable. There are two upper ball joints that fit Commander 1000 11-19, Commander 800 11-19, Commander Max 1000 15-18, Commander Max 800 16-19, Defender 1000 16-19, Defender 500 17-19, Defender 800 16-19, Defender Max All, Maverick 13-19, Maverick Max 14-19, Maverick Trail, Maverick X3, All Outlander ATVS and All Renegade ATVS.
Pros
- Comes as a set
- Made of aircraft graded steel
- Provides strength to the vehicle
- Helps the vehicle to get rid of death wobble
Cons
- Not
NO.5 Moog K80026 Ball Joint
Metal-to-metal design of these ball joints provide strength and reduce friction by allowing grease to flow through the bearing surface. They have greaseable sockets that help to reduce corrosion and wear because they allow new lubricant to flush contaminants.
They give you easy installation and their steering alignment gives you a perfect fit right out of the box. They are available for both foreign and domestic nameplates. You can easily use them for two and four wheel drive vehicles.
Pros
- Enhance vehicle’s chassis performance and durability
- Easy installation
- Oversized housing unit for extra secure fit
- Compatible with a variety of vehicles
- Lubricated socket design
- Engineered steel construction
Cons
- Not a complete kit
- Comes as a single piece
NO.6 Moog K80149 Ball Joint
These ball joints have problem solving gusher bearing because of having a metal-to-metal design that provides strength to them. It also helps to reduce friction by allowing grease to flow through the bearing surface.
Ball studs are heat treated to match or exceed OE requirements to inhibit premature failure and improve fatigue strength. Belleville preload washer helps keep the bearing package as tight as bearings wear. They are very easy to install and are available for both foreign and domestic nameplates.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Grease-able socket reduces corrosion
- Strong and durable
- Heat treated studs
- Comprehensive coverage
- Keeps dirt and water out
Cons
- Poor grease fitting reported
NO.7 Detroit Axle – 2WD 8pc Front Upper Control Arms w/Ball Joint Assembly
These ball joints are Built to strict quality control standards. They are made up of high quality material that can easily undergo impact, wear and fatigue testing in order to ensure quality and durability.
They have a 2002-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 2WD. These components provide you a better riding vehicle and are manufactured to exceed original equipment standards.
Pros
- Comes as a set of 8 pieces
- Impact, wear and fatigue tested
- Strong enough to handle immense pressure
- Easily maintained
- Designed for perfect fitting to match OEM designs
- Adjustable
- Manufactured to strict quality control standards
Cons
- Expensive
NO.8 KIPA Ball Joint For LEXUS LS460 LS460L
Well-machined and top quality ball joints meet and exceed OME quality. They are made up of high quality synthetic lubricant along with high quality synthetic rubber and natural rubber.
Their Compatible OEM Numbers are 43201-59045, 43202-59075. They are compatible for vehicles LEXUS LS460/460L USF4# 2006-2012, LEXUS LS460/460L USF4# 2012.
Pros
- Premium quality ball joint
- Meets and exceeds OEM quality
- Imported from USA
Cons
- No installation manual included
NO.9 Moog K8607T Ball Joint
Metal-to-metal ball joints provide strength and help to reduce friction by allowing grease to flow through the bearing surface. These ball joints are very strong and durable as Ball studs are heat treated to match or exceed OE requirements that inhibit premature failure and improve fatigue strength.
Their removable sockets help to reduce corrosion and wear by allowing new lubricant to flush contaminants. They have Belleville preload washer that helps to keep the bearing package tight. You can install them very easily and their steering alignment gives you a perfect fit. They are available for both foreign and domestic nameplates.
Pros
- Engineered steel construction
- Metal stud rotates about 360 degrees
- Grease encouraging design
- Flushes contaminants easily
- Oversized housing for perfect secure fit
- Powdered metal gusher design to reduce friction
Cons
- Quality control issues reported by users
- Grease fitting problems
NO.10 Epi Standard Ball Joint Kit
This is an excellent quality ball joint that includes ball joint, rubber boot, snap ring, cotter pin, washer and nut. It has a high quality inner ball cage and a relief hole for moisture.
Its components vary by different models. It can fit for a number of different vehicles including Polaris ACE 500 2017-2018, Polaris ACE 570 2016-2017, Polaris ACE 570 SP 2016-2017 and many more.
Pros
- Relief hole aids moisturizing
- Consists of a high quality inner ball cage
- Easy installation
- Consists of a cotter pin, ball joints, a snap ring, a rubber boot and a washer
- Easily maintained
- Rubber foot keeps dirt out
Cons
- Comes as a single piece
- Limited to use in only Polaris ATVs
Conclusion:
Types Of Ball Joints
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Load Carrying Ball Joints:
These ball joints are specifically designed to carry and bear the weight of the vehicle and that’s why they tend to wear out faster. Lower ball joints are included in the suspension system and you need to check this type of joint regularly because of the high wear and tear expectation.
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Non-load Carrying Ball Joints:
These joints typically support and follow the load-bearing ball joints but do not carry any weight on their own. That is why they experience less pressure that results in reduced wear and tear. They are mostly present on upper control arm suspensions for supporting ball joints in the lower arm.
Key features to look for
- Compatibility
This is the main key feature to consider because a single ball joint is not enough to fit in all cars. Depending on the need of your car, you should buy a component that is designed for it because each car has its own part specification and fitting.
- Material:
The most commonly used material for ball joint construction is steel because it is very soft and also prevents rust. It makes the component very durable. Other metals might not perform as well as steel.
- Grease:
Some ball joints require greasing but some of them are self-lubricating so they require no maintenance at all. Self-lubricating ball joints are a better option for you if you are not a handy type of person. But if you can do maintenance every once in a while then a greaseable ball joint is best for you.
- Brand:
Brand is an important factor to consider because some brands are actually suppliers of OE parts to car manufacturers and thus they act as an upper hand when it comes to designing replacement ball joints. It is recommended to consider products from such best brand of ball joints because they are of high quality.
Best Ball Joints FAQs
Q: What are ball joints and how do they work?
A: Ball joints consist of a ball and a socket that provides pivoting movement between the steering knuckles and allows you to precisely control your vehicle. It is a small component of the car but its function is very important. It is just like a hip joint of a human body and is a small metal ball present inside a metal socket. It allows vehicle rotary movement.
Q: How often do ball joints need to be replaced?
A: Ball joints work during driving and they tend to bear more pressure and damage from rough road condition. If you mostly drive on rough roads, the mileage will be lower and if you drive on tarmac, you will get more service going up to 150,000 miles. If you are using a low quality ball joint, it will give you fewer miles as compared to a high quality part.
Q: How would I know that my ball joints are failing?
A: There are four basic points that indicate the failing of ball joints.
- Abnormal and unbalanced tire wear
- Unusual cracking noises
- Shaking of the steering wheel
- Clunking of front tires