Can Upper Ball Joints Cause Uneven Tire Wear? [Uncover The FACTS]

Can upper ball joints cause uneven tire wear? When the upper ball joints fail, they will cause uneven tire wear.

This is because the front wheels will be misaligned causing inner or outerwear of the tire edges. The upper ball joint is a crucial component of the suspension system.

Not only does it connect the wheel and tire to the vehicle’s suspension and steering system. But also it allows you to turn the wheels.

Since the upper ball joints are under heavy load, if you continue driving on bumpy and uneven road surfaces, they will get damaged.

Want to know the symptoms of failed upper ball joints and when to replace them?

Keep reading!

Also Read: Can Uneven Tire Wear Pull Car To Left? [ + 4 Key SYMPTOMS]

Can Upper Ball Joints Cause Uneven Tire Wear?

Uneven tire wear is a sign that your ball joints are wearing out. In fact, if you notice that the inner or outer edges of your tires are wearing out faster, there is a good chance that the upper ball joints are wearing out.

Worn ball joints in the front suspension usually introduce some “play” to the wheels when driving. This allows one of the front wheels to come out of alignment. When this happens, one tire will wear out much more rapidly than the other.

A broken or worn ball joint can cause drifting steering or a mysterious clunking noise. As you continue using your car, the ball joints will wear out even more.

This can seriously affect your suspensions and steering. If the ball joints wear out completely before you replace them, the wheels can fall off the car. 

Bad Upper Ball Joint Symptoms

The front suspension of your car is a complex assembly consisting of control links and wheel hubs.

Not only does the front suspension allow your front wheels to move up and down. But it makes them turn left or right together allowing you to drive your car in the direction you want.

However, the upper ball joints wear out and you need to replace them to regain control of your car.

To know if you’ve bad upper ball joints, listen for faint, intermittent clunking noise. This sound is more pronounced when going around a corner or over a bump.

Bad upper ball joints can affect your car’s steering. In fact, they will make your steering stiff or sloping depending on how they’re worn out.

If you feel the vibration in the steering wheel or your vehicle starts to drift left or right, that’s a sign of bad upper ball joints.

Lastly, we have uneven tire wear. If the inner or outer edges of your front tires are wearing out faster than the rest of the tread, chances are you’ve bad upper ball joints.

Can a Bad Upper Ball Joint Cause Tire Wear?

Bad upper ball joints can cause the inner or outer edges of your front tires to wear out unevenly. This is because the bad upper ball joints cannot keep your front suspensions aligned when driving.

In fact, they make your steering wheel wander either to the left or the right. When your steering wheel pulls to the right or left on its own, it causes uneven wear on your front tires.

However, if you notice that the tire is equal on both sides, the issue is not bad upper ball joints but could be underinflation of your tires.

When Should Upper Ball Joints Be Replaced?

You need to replace any upper ball joint that exceeds the vehicle’s manufacturer’s allowable wear.

The majority of vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing upper ball joints between 70,000 to 150,000 miles of usage. This depends on the road conditions and usage.

However, if you notice clunking noises from the front suspensions or poor handling, have the ball joints replaced. This will save you money and prevent accidents because you lost control of your car.

Whenever you check your car’s lubrication, check your ball joints. If the rubber holding the joint’s lubrication is missing or damaged, then water must have gotten into the joint. This can lead to wearing and rust.

What Causes Upper Ball Joints to Fail?

Ball joints usually start to fail after the rubber holding the lubrication becomes damaged or goes missing. When this happens, not only does water get inside as lubrication escapes. But dirt, grit, and other impurities will get inside.

This will lead to a lack of lubrication. As you drive, the dirt and impurities will increase friction causing the ball joints to wear out.

Add rust which will cause damage to these suspension parts. Before you know it, your front suspension and tires will have excessive play leading to uneven tire wear.

Conclusion

Upper ball joint failure is not a common problem but it happens when you drive along bumpy, uneven roads for many years. When your ball joints start to wear out, they will cause drifting steering or clunking noise.

If they fail completely, your front wheels can fall off the car. To ensure this does not happen, have your upper ball joints inspected whenever you check your car’s lubrication.

If they are broken or damaged, have them replaced. This will save lives.

James Brown

I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.