so can anyone tell me what this thing is? this is probably the cause for my loose and horrible shimmy/floating feeling at highway speed. how much do you think it would cost to get this fixed, because it doesnt seem like a good idea to be driving with it shreded to bits like that.



also might be the reason the inside of my front tires look like this

 

The balljoint boot has torn. Quite common actually. The loose feel is not because of what is in the picture. Balljoint movement/alignment is the reason why your tires look the way they do.

Balljoint movement is very minimal in perspective to "feeling floaty"

Floating Feelings can be caused by:

1) incorrect speed rating tires
2) worn out struts
3) incorrect air pressure

 

so is this the upper or lower baljoint?

 

anyone?

 

The picture represents a lower balljoint.

 

thanks mike B, im gonna go get this taken car of asap, hope it doesntt cost to much
i do have one more question if you dont mind, could a bad balljoint cause a clunking sound over big bumps?

 

wait, actualy after some more searching i dont think thats the balljoint

isnt the lower balljoint above number 7 inside the knucke?
can anyone else confirm that whats broken really is the balljoint?

 

ok i pulled the wheel off to get another look at things, and took some better pics of the thing. so can anyone tell me what this thing is?

 

Looks like the outer tie rod end.

 

is that the actual name for it? im gonna call my mechanic today to get a quote but i want to make sure i tell him the right part

 

I think that's a CV joint, I got it changed last week..costed me about 160.

 

This pic looks exactly like the outer tie rod end. The CV axle can be seen in the background.

 

Yup, and it is connected to the steering rack.

Part #12: tie rod end boot $1.42.

 

Doh!

It is a the outer tie rod end. I didnt examine what was in the background. A bad balljoint or bad outer tie rod end can make clunks. You need to have your mechanic lift the front of the vehicle from the lower control arms. By doing so, he can check what components are bad.

Remember, it has to be lifted by the control arms and NOT the frame rails. The reason behind this is that because you have to apply suspension load as opposed to having it suspended in the air.

 

tie rod end- common failure easy fix for basic mechanic

Make sure to mark the position of the locknut so you install the new one close to spec then get aligned immediatly
Check all the other boots for tears- grease goes out dirt goes in and soon bearing fails- yes- there is a bearing in the tie-rod- tying the steering rack to the wheel itself

 

FYI- the threaded part in the arm to steering rack, thats the place you make the actual toe adjustment- one of the reasons your tire is toast- got to replace them too

I got the bad news of need 2 tires soon- decided a set of 17s is in order

 

hey thanks for all your help guys, im gonaa go get that taken car of, im also ginna get the lower balljoints replaced, im not positive they are taht bad but with 113k and jersey roads+lowered im sure they arent like new anymore.

 

Have the entire system inspected and the pro tell you what you need- once you decide to do a lower ball joint- the uppers get jealous