How Long Do Ball Joints Last?
On most vehicles you can expect your ball joints to last up to 100k miles before they need to be replaced but there are a few factors that affect their lifespan.
Longevity Factors
Some ball joints are load bearing and can wear down faster than others, also consistently hauling excessive weight or towing can accelerate wear. Lots of miles or rough terrain force the ball joints to work harder and can also prematurely wear down ball joints as well as water and debris bypassing a torn or loose dust boot which causes corrosion in the ball joint stud.
There are exceptions and some people have put many more miles than the average on their vehicle's ball joints without replacing them but they don't last forever. Eventually the grind of metal on metal, or in some cases metal on plastic, will wear the ball joint's surfaces down and cause looseness. This can lead to steering problems, tire alignment issues, and even ball joint failure.
Ball Joint Wear Prevention
Precautions can be taken to extend the life of a ball joint and they should be checked at every, or every other oil change for looseness. If possible, grease maintenance should also be used especially for trucks or vehicles that put an above average strain on their suspension or vehicles that spend a lot of time in wet or snowy conditions.
Moog Problem Solver Ball Joints have been shown to last just as long or longer than the original ball joints and up to five times longer than other aftermarket replacement options. Benefits like a greasable design and grease premeable gusher bearing make problem solver ball joints an excellent replacement for worn original ball joints.
