Ball joints and control arm bushings are what connect your wheels to the car. When they wear you get clunks, wander, and uneven tire wear — and a ball joint that separates can drop the wheel. We check for play with the wheel loaded and unloaded, replace the arm or joint, and torque everything with the suspension at ride height.
Signs you need control arms & ball joints
- Clunking or popping over bumps or when turning
- Steering feels loose or wanders
- Uneven inner-edge tire wear
- Squeaking from the front end
- Visible play when the wheel is rocked
What we do on site
- Inspect for play in ball joints and bushings
- Replace the control arm assembly or press in new joints
- Check tie rods and sway bar links at the same time
- Torque bushings at ride height
- Recommend alignment
Doing this in a driveway
Lower control arms and ball joints are routine mobile work on most vehicles.
Parts we use
Control arm with ball joint and bushings, or individual ball joint and bushings.
Pricing: Moderate; complete arm assemblies are often cheaper than pressing individual joints. Every job is quoted in writing before we start, and there's no upsell — how our pricing works.
FAQ
Control Arms & Ball Joints: common questions
Can a bad ball joint cause a wheel to fall off?
A completely failed ball joint can separate and collapse the suspension. If you hear popping and feel looseness, don't wait.