The Best Repair Shop in Allentown to Fix a Ball Joint Failure in a BMW 3 Series
by schearerswpadmin July 9, 2021BMW 3 Series models are known for being responsive, high-performing vehicles, but they do have a few weaknesses, one of which is ball joint failure. Because the ball joint is a vital part of your BMW’s suspension system, a malfunction of this component can have serious consequences. To help you keep yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle safe, here is everything you need to know about preventing, identifying, and fixing ball joint failure.
Common Causes of Ball Joint Failure
As an aspect of the suspension system, the ball joint is one small part of a complex network of components that prevent your vehicle from jolting and lurching over rough terrain. Accordingly, there are several factors that may cause your BMW’s ball joints to fail. For example, one common cause of ball joint failure is grease failure. Your vehicle’s ball joints reside in a metal case with grease inside that is designed to reduce wear and tear. Over time, this grease may become contaminated with dust and debris, and will thus prevent the ball joint from rotating. This can cause serious damage to both the ball joint and the suspension system as a whole.
Similarly, broken seals can also cause contamination of the ball joint. Your vehicle houses a variety of rubber seals, all of which serve to contain and redirect oil. As these seals are exposed to extreme temperatures and pressures, they may crack, allowing oil to escape. If this oil leaks into the ball joint, it may cause both the ball joint and the grease surrounding it to deteriorate, especially if the oil is contaminated with dirt and debris. Again, this can have serious consequences for your BMW’s suspension system.
Finally, the most common cause of ball joint failure is regular wear and tear. Ball joints are designed to withstand difficult conditions, but they are not invincible, and certain factors may cause them to wear down at an accelerated rate. For example, regularly driving in damp conditions may cause the steel component to rust, as may flood damage.
Additionally, although the ball joint is built to handle the occasional jaunt over rough terrain, routinely driving your BMW over broken ground can cause the ball joint to crack and break.
The best way to prevent your BMW’s ball joints from wearing out is by only driving over the recommended terrain: smooth, paved streets. In addition, regular maintenance can help prevent ball joint failure, as it will allow you to notice damage to the joints before the problem becomes severe.
Identifying and Fixing the Problem
Of course, accidents happen, and preventing ball joint failure may not always be possible. As such, it is vital that BMW 3 Series owners know how to recognize and respond to the symptoms of ball joint failure.
Often, the first sign that something is wrong with your BMW’s ball joints will be unusual noises coming from the front end of the vehicle. Rattling, knocking, and clunking sounds may all indicate that one of your vehicle’s ball joints is failing, especially if the noises occur when you drive over uneven roads.
Typically, these noises will be accompanied by front end vibrations. As ball joints deteriorate, they tend to come loose in their sockets, thus causing the car to vibrate and shake when it is in motion. If the problem is severe enough, it may even cause vibrations in the steering column, which can make it quite challenging to turn your vehicle.
Not only do these symptoms make driving extremely uncomfortable, but they also indicate that something is seriously wrong with your vehicle’s ball joints. Therefore, if you notice them, you should take your vehicle to a professional mechanic as soon as possible to have the problem addressed.
How Schearer’s Sales and Service, Inc. Can Help
If your BMW 3 Series ball joints 
are malfunctioning, then you’ll want an experienced technician to resolve the situation. Schearer’s Sales and Service, Inc. is here to help. Since 1995, our expert mechanics have provided top-notch service to drivers in the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Macungie, PA area. We are Allentown’s leading automotive service center for European vehicles, so give us a call today or stop by the shop to find out what we can do for you.