Right front ball joint excessive play and needs to be replaced. 2009 Nissan Versa
In June this year during a coil spring change recall, dealer said the left lower ball joint was loose and needed to be replaced. I got it done for cash as car had just come out of warranty. This week during oil change they say that the right ball joint excessive play, needs replacement. My wife drives carefully, car pools and therefore drives twice to work in her car. Distance each day is 60 miles both ways. Well maintained car, with krown rust protection every year. I am beginning to doubt the integrity of the dealer. What is my best option, please? Thank you in advance for your time and hel
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello – yes, the Recall was for front spring issues. While it is not common for ball joints to fail at your mileage, many factors come into play: potholes and road conditions where you drive, stop and go vs smooth highway motoring, etc. I would recommend an inspection of the front suspension by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs. This will validate the claim of the mechanic (or not) if you don’t have complete faith in the previous diagnosis. Failing ball joints may not provide as noticeable symptoms as other suspension components, but they are are certainly dangerous when they fail.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
A broken ball joint may be the cause of a mysterious clunking noise or drifting steering. And once they`re worn, they will seriously affect your steering and suspension. If a ball joint fails completely, it can even result in the wheel dramatically falling off the car.
Can I Drive With a Bad Ball Joint? No. You should not drive with a bad ball joint. Continuing to drive can cause damage to other vehicle components and if the joint fails completely you could lose control of the vehicle, leading to a crash and injuries.
The 2021 Versa has a driving range of over 324 miles.
(Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
For driver safety, MOOG recommends that a `press-in` ball joint is only replaced on one occasion and that any subsequent repair should use a fully assembled wishbone arm.
In general, ball joints are inexpensive with a range between $20 to $80 each. Labor will vary greatly by model. Some vehicles cost as low as $60 to $80. Yet others, especially four-wheel drive trucks, can range from $160 to $200 per ball joint.
Rock the tyre on its axis. Grasp the top and bottom of the tyre and rock it in and out along the wheel`s vehicle axis. If the ball joints are working well, there should be little to no play in this movement. Noise and play from the top – this indicates a problem with the upper ball joint.
If a customer needs a new ball joint, recommend replacing all of the joints at the same time. If one joint has failed, chances are the other joints may be nearing the end of their service life, too.
Loss of steering control
Severe wear of ball joints leads the suspension to completely break down, causing the wheels to move in various directions. Ball joints can shatter in a variety of ways, leading you to lose steering control. The steering knuckle or control arm of your wheel can break off.
Model Lineup. The 2009 Nissan Versa is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, each in two trim levels. All are powered by the same 122-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Versa five out of five stars overall, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the small Nissan sedan the highest-possible Good ratings for moderate-overlap frontal impacts and side impacts.
However, most dealers and buyers consider 75,000 or 100,000 miles to be high-mileage. A Nissan can cost about $500 per year to maintain. This price could be higher or lower if you have a luxury Nissan or a less reliable model.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Loose connections at the positive and negative battery terminals. Very dirty or clogged air filters can also cause your engine to underperform. Loose timing belts are another likely cause. A mechanic will check these and replace them if they appear loose and worn.
Engines: The 2007-2011 Versa comes with a 1.6L (HR16DE) or 1.8L (MR18DE) engine. Both are double-overhead cam (DOHC) motors with a timing chain. Unlike a timing belt, a timing chain doesn`t need to be replaced at regular intervals.
The old rule of thumb that ball joints with more than . 050 inches of play are worn does NOT hold true for all vehicles. Some ball joints should have NO visible play while others can handle up to . 250 inch or more of play and still be considered okay.
So if you have all the right tools and equipment, you can rebuild or install a pair of Dynatrac HD Rebuildable Ball Joints in your garage in what will be a long day. However, the benefits will be grand.
While ball joints may last 70,000 miles or more, they don`t last forever. Their actual lifespan will depend on your driving habits, road conditions and exposure to road splash and salt.
Ball joints typically cannot be replaced separately, so the entire control arm needs to be replaced. The ball joints are critical to vehicle alignment, so these control arms should also be replaced in pairs.
Many technicians recommend replacing both joints at the same time (both lowers, both uppers or all four). Another item that should be checked when ball joints are replaced is the stud hole in the steering knuckle — especially if the ball joint stud has broken or is loose.
The lower ball joint usually takes the biggest hits and wears out first. Not only does it need to handle the load of the vehicle, but it also absorbs the shocks of potholes and other bone-jarring road hazards.
A loose ball joint will affect the car`s alignment, causing it to pull to the right or left as you`re driving.
A loosening of the ball joint in a car can cause a serious accident or a rollover because the car will suffer a loss in vehicle steering control.
The Nissan Versa is a well-built small sedan, with plenty of space inside and enough standard technology and safety features to easily justify its price. Solid fuel economy is another bonus. The Versa`s slow acceleration is a bummer, but overall it`s a smart pick for an affordable small sedan.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Right front ball joint excessive play and needs to be replaced. 2009 Nissan Versa
ANSWER : Hello – yes, the Recall was for front spring issues. While it is not common for ball joints to fail at your mileage, many factors come into play: potholes and road conditions where you drive, stop and go vs smooth highway motoring, etc. I would recommend an inspection of the front suspension by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs. This will validate the claim of the mechanic (or not) if you don’t have complete faith in the previous diagnosis. Failing ball joints may not provide as noticeable symptoms as other suspension components, but they are are certainly dangerous when they fail.
When replacing ball joints can you just replace the ball joints or do you need to just replace the control arm?
ANSWER : Suspension components on modern vehicles are not as heavy as they used to be. Components like control arms can be lighter and thinner. Ball joints are riveted or pressed into control arms. Sometimes bolted/screwed. Since replacing a ball joint will usually involve removing the control arm from the vehicle to either press or drill rivets out – which is more labor intensive, it can be a time and money saver labor wise to simply replace the entire control arm.
You are removing the old control arm and replacing it with a new one, complete with new ball joint and control arm bushings. Even if the control arm bushings are in good shape at the time the ball joint is replaced, they will eventually require replacement. You then have parts and labor involved again to remove the control arm, replace the bushings, then reinstall it on the vehicle.
Sometimes the ball joint replacement can be more cost effective in the long run, to simply replace the entire control arm. If you’d like to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to service your ball joints.
When replacing ball joints can you just replace the ball joints or do you have to replace the whole control arm?
ANSWER : The ball joint on this vehicle can be replaced separately from the lower control arm. However, on this vehicle it is also a known problem where the ball joint becomes loose inside the mounting in the lower control arm and will not hold tight any longer. This will require the entire lower control arm to be replaced. [https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement]
In order to know if just the ball joint or the whole complete lower control arm needs replaced, the lower ball joint will need to be disconnected from the steering knuckle and checked to see if it fits tight in the lower control arm. If it is loose, then replace control arm. If it fits tight then you will need to remove the ball joint from control arm and see if a new ball joint will fit tight in the control arm or control arm still will need to be replaced. This is why you were advised to replace the whole control arm.
Can I get front upper ball joints for our 2007 Ford Edge? I don’t need the entire control arms, for they don’t need to be replaced
ANSWER : The front suspension system on the Edge incorporates a strut assembly that takes the place of the upper arm and ball joint. There is a lower arm assembly though on your vehicle. If you desire to replace just the ball joints in the lower arms, Moog, AC-Delco and Mevotech all vend these lower arm ball joints separately. You’ll want to very carefully evaluate the rubber bushings in the existing arm though though. Generally, rubber based products (control arm bushings) are at the end of their service life once you get to 6-8 years or so. If wear in the rubber allows the control arm to move even .020 inches, it can make it technically impossible to align the vehicle. The tolerances are very small in front end alignment. If you desire that this issue be inspected and resolved by a certified mechanic, please request ball joint replacement and the responding certified mechanic will address all of your concerns. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
I was told the ball joint on my 2010 Nissan Cube was bad and needed to be replaced. The dealership estimated that is would cost $
ANSWER : Hi there. A sudden change like that would make anyone skeptical. The best weapon in your arsenal now is a second opinion. You could be in need of a ball joint replacement just as they stated, but did they show you the ball joint and explain why? I suggest a second opinion by a qualified technician. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a suspension inspection.
Ball Joints / Suspension parts may be damaged.
ANSWER : The best thing to do is put the vehicle on jack stands and remove the tires to the suspension that is to be damaged. Then check the ball joints, control arm bushings, and the control arms and see if there is any loose or damaged parts. If the control arms can move around and if the ball joints have excessive play, then I recommend replacing the parts before driving the vehicle. If you need further assistance with your suspension being loose, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
On my 2000 ford explorer do i need to replace the ball joints and the control arms or can i just replace the ball joints
ANSWER : The lower ball joints on this vehicle can be replaced individually. The upper ball joint is usually included with the control arm but, depending on your VIN, the upper joint is available separately as well. You should examine the bushings on the upper arm to determine if it is worth just replacing the ball joint as you might need control arm bushings as well. If you desire that the ball joints be inspected, and replaced as necessary, by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a front suspension – ball joint inspection/replacement and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
When replacing my ball joints on my 2005 dodge Strauss do I need to replace the control arms as well
ANSWER : Hi there. When changing out the ball joints, you don’t need to change the control arms if you have a replacement ball joint. However, if you are wanting to replace the bushings and the ball joint, then you may get a better deal when buying a control arm with the bushings and ball joint already installed. I suggest checking the bushings on the control arms before making your decision. If you need further assistance with replacing the control arms, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
