Light Racing ball joint issue

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hope on May 29, 2014 at 8:16pm

Ball joints are serious enough that to lose one on the road means also losing the wheel that the ball joint previously kept  attached to the vehicle!!!

But reading your history, I would be suspicious of those mechanics BUT I would not go to work tomorrow, I would go immediately to an independent alignment shop, one you haven't been to yet (?) and ask them to put it on the lift and check out the ball joints, tie-rod ends and general suspension geometry. Do NOT lead them down the garden path, so to speak, or they will want to sell you ball joints too.

Tell them you want to have a second opinion because you suspect some mechanic has a boat payment due. Or better yet, tell them you just want piece of mind on this.

Good luck, and don't get ripped off.

Check on www.cartalk.com at the "mechanix files" and look up a recommended mechanic in your area from the listeners.

Steve.

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Permalink Reply by PBn'FJ on May 30, 2014 at 8:47pm

Max, the light racing upper ball joints are on an eccentric cam and might just be loose allowing some movement. I would have a second opinion done by a good mechanic. I would not drive around on it much until you get is resolved. If the UCA comes apart, it could cause a crash. Good luck and hope it is something simple. 

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Permalink Reply by Chris Z. on May 31, 2014 at 2:14am

Dons Tire service in Berkeley Is great Jason has done a lot of work on getting near perfect alignment with the same set up they are in Berkeley though. great people and local shop 57 years there. 

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