I've changed my front lower ball joints one year ago (c.a. 5.000 miles) and today my mechanic said they should be replaced soon. Damn, i went trough so many posts - all concluded oem staff should be the best quality. I am really disappointed as cheap replacements in my previous car survived longer.

 

did you happen to check the rest of your suspension components to see why your ball joint is failing again so quickly? compliance bushings perhaps? shocks? etc.

 

Almost all suspension parts has been changed last year. Inspection pointed only ball joints.

 

Check them yourself!

 

This is trusted guy - never been wrong, checked everything with me.
The trick is the ball joints seals look almost perfect but there is little play when the suspension is working - that is probably what i feel while driving.

 

Did you use OEM ball joints? Were they installed correctly?

 

I can't picture someone installing them incorrectly.
Only thing that comes to mind is he probably took the TL offroading ( meaning the roads are horrible where you've driven the vehicle ) or non oem part.

 

My friend took his car to a "trusted" mechanic because he needed his head gasket replaced.
"trusted" mechanic says he changed the head & head gasket.

Meanwhile, I drew some circles and made some lines on the head and guess what.. It wasnt replaced. Nor was the head gasket.

Check the ball joints yourself.

 

joint balls

 

The mechanic should be 'very talented' to install them incorrectly
There might be something in offroading as driving in polish cities reminds offroading.
The mechanic is above suspictions - he services my cars since 7 years and knows my expectations and attitude to safety.
Wondering on going with aftermarket replacements now as oem lasted not as expected.

 

make sure you're tires are balanced.