Discussion
Had a balljoint fail whilst driving causing significant damage to my car. It was checked over by a dealer just over a month before hand while investigating a clunking noise.
I have been told it was fine when the car was checked and it has failed without warning blaming the age and mileage on the car (8-9 years and over 120k miles) and that it is unrelated to the noise I was hearing.
Any mechanically minded members of the forum able to shed any light on this? is it possible for them to just fail? I'd expect them to get slack first before giving way completely but I only do some light spannering at home.
Its a top control arm on the rear of a BMW 5 series if thats any help.
I have been told it was fine when the car was checked and it has failed without warning blaming the age and mileage on the car (8-9 years and over 120k miles) and that it is unrelated to the noise I was hearing.
Any mechanically minded members of the forum able to shed any light on this? is it possible for them to just fail? I'd expect them to get slack first before giving way completely but I only do some light spannering at home.
Its a top control arm on the rear of a BMW 5 series if thats any help.
Very unlikely just to fail unless seriously corroded - mind you it is a BMW and have seen my share of corroded parts on them
They generally wear out and start knocking/clunking over a period time ending up failing an MOT
Doubt the stealer even checked them - full dealer service history anyone? No thank you ...
They generally wear out and start knocking/clunking over a period time ending up failing an MOT
Doubt the stealer even checked them - full dealer service history anyone? No thank you ...
In what manner has the balljoint failed? If the ball has pulled out of the housing due to wear, that is something that certainly should have been spotted, since it's not possible for that sort of wear to happen within a few months. Assuming it's the original balljoint, I would certainly expect it to be getting pretty tired with 120k miles on it. Probably worth changing the other side as well.
I have also seen balljoints fail where the threaded (and often tapered) section has sheared from the ball, the ball remaining in the housing. Obviously that would not have been possible to see, unless something was visibly bent at the time.
I have also seen balljoints fail where the threaded (and often tapered) section has sheared from the ball, the ball remaining in the housing. Obviously that would not have been possible to see, unless something was visibly bent at the time.
Mine made no noticeable knocking noises or had any apparent dodgy handling before popping the same joint (you commented on my thread too)... http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
6k miles since the MOT test and judging by the damage the worn ball had done to the suspension arm before finally failing, I'd suggest it was a little worn then too, minor wear not easily spotted i guess, and I'd have certainly expected a good healthy knock from it down a country lane too.
I seem to recall worn balljoints on anything BL I owned knocked like buggery, again a guess, but probably easier to feel/hear from the front however; somewhat more sound proofing on a 5 Series too
What else did it take with it when it failed? Not too much hopefully
6k miles since the MOT test and judging by the damage the worn ball had done to the suspension arm before finally failing, I'd suggest it was a little worn then too, minor wear not easily spotted i guess, and I'd have certainly expected a good healthy knock from it down a country lane too.
I seem to recall worn balljoints on anything BL I owned knocked like buggery, again a guess, but probably easier to feel/hear from the front however; somewhat more sound proofing on a 5 Series too
What else did it take with it when it failed? Not too much hopefully
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