Front end shake - ball joints?

[Mike_F]

My 1998 Limited (167K) has a shake/vibration the front end at around 70+ mph. Its not all the time but most of the time. It doesn't seem to matter what is going on, slight steer to the right, straight or steer to left. It comes and goes. Anyway, I noticed that the front tires were going bald on the inside and the mechanic said that the upper and lower ball joints were bad. Both sides, I think. I replaced the tires but didn't do anything about the ball joints. So A) is it likely that the ball joints are the cause of the shaking? B) Do ball joints fail catastrophically? I'm planning a 2000 mile trip in a couple of months. C)If I elect to have them repaired, what is a ball park figure so I know if the mechanic is being reasonable? Thanks.

 

[xglyphicx]

I had the exact same issue, and yes it was the ball joints. Wear on the inside tread of the front two tires due to abnormal camber. Its a good chance when you do get it fixed to change the wheel bearings too, they're notorious for going out (and causing vibration).

A) Yes ball joints will cause shaking.. but that may or may not be the only thing.
B) It is a good idea to fix them asap, but I have personally never heard of catastrophic failure. Just expensive tire bills.
C) I have seen shops do them in the $500 range, but more than likely look to spend $700-$900 (those were the figures at California's $72/hour mechanic rates - not sure how your state works.)

I elected to change them myself, I had a friend help me who worked at a tire shop for many years. It really wasn't that bad if you have the tools (you WILL need a press to get them replaced)

 

[janolsson]

My tire wore on the inside when the ball joint was fubar
Check out the sticky on ball joints

 

[Rudy602]

Check the tie rod ends [inner and outer] If I was going 2000 miles, I'd make sure that front end is sound. No fun beside the road and big $$$$$ for those kind of repairs. Just do it.

 

[ThePhoenix]

I had a rythmic vibration at 65 due to bad wheel bearings

I also used a mobile mechanic to get ball joints done. whole thing (not including alignment was about $330