nishant11

My 2003 TL-S has 140,000 miles on it. It had terrible metallic creek or squeak noise. On bumps at slow speeds as well as when turning steering wheel when stationary. With windows open, it is unbearable.

Showed a mechanic, he informed front suspension lower ball joint needs replaced. Labor only he quoted $130- about 2 hours.

Is this a common issue?
How much a replacement ball joint typically last?
Please share your views

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

You can do it yourself with parts from autozone.

However, if you're not experienced with working on cars, then I would just pay him. Price is about right for both ball joints. Just for one, ehhh.

3.2TLc

Hey Nischant11, the ball joints do wear out....along with most of the other suspension parts. 10 yrs/140 k ....yeah, alot depends on the kinda roads ya travel along with the winter salt.

As Karanx7 stated above, if ya can "DIY".....it'll only cost ya for the ball joint. You'll probably need to rent a press to do this work. If ya don't feel comfortable, get a second labor quote to compare. When doing this, check both sides for any other suspension parts which may be on the edge. It's best to do it now, while it's opened up.

Chevelle66

I think I'm having the same problem. A creaking sound when going over speed bumps and sometimes turns. At least I hope it's just a ball joint lol. Any recommendations on brand? I love my moog end-links.

Italiano

Get them replaced Asap....mine went my wife was driving MPH...axle got yanked out of transmission.. replaced both lowers with adjustable ones and new axles...

3.2TLc

Hey Italiano, do ya know what brand the lower BJ's were ? I've seen adjustable top BJ's.....wasn't sure about the lowers !

I'll bet your wife kicked your a$$ after that incident !!!!

Worn BJ's are nothing to fool around with. If they are that bad, usually the front end will have warning signs....such as mentioned above, along with vibration and tire wear.

A quick check can be done by jacking up the car's effected side slightly off the ground and safely supporting it.....then grabbing the wheel/tire at the top and bottom, pushing in and pulling out.....any slight play or noise would indicate a worn BJ. You can also try spraying some WD40 into the BJ's, if ya don't hear anything afterwards when driving, ya may have found the problem. Also check the sway bar end links when underneath.

Italiano

I don't know what brand..they were $140 each...expensive... I did upper ones 2 months b4 this happened. Squeaking was like that for 3 weeks...I had just raised car up a 1/2 inch for wife and place that does my work kinda knew they were going bad and didn't tell me...Wife thought she did something wrong.. Thank god she wasn't on the highway when it happened... Change them now..price is about right..do all four if u can...at least in pairs..

Fr3shAcuraTL

nishat it all depends on the roeads u travel and how lowered your car is just changed mine and paid the same price for both lower ball joints