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blueriver
New User
Jan 19, 2012, 8:51 PM
Post #1 of 9
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ball joint failure
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Whoa. Tonight apparently my lower left ball joint failed while I was exiting the highway at maybe 50 mph. Got it to the side safely with sparks flying. Now the car is at the body shop parking lot with the wheel pointing 90 degrees from where it should be. There is minor body damage, and who-knows how much structural damage.
The car is a 2003 Accord with about 137000 miles on it.
I had work done recently at two shops. It all started with grinding noise and fairly minor fishtailing when I went over a bump or pothole.
A muffler/brake/etc shop replaced the right upper ball joint in August and stated that rear struts needed replacing (haven't done yet)
The dealer replaced the right lower ball joint in October and told me about the bushings.
The same muffler shop replaced bushings on both sides a week later in October.
After this the fishtailing went away, but the grinding remained occasionally for a while. I haven't heard the grinding for at least a month. I was about to bring it in to do the struts and have the ball joints checked.
Both had the opportunity to look at the left side and I believe they did, but did not mention any issue with the left ball joints.
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether this is solely my, the shops or a shared responsibility? I am hoping to have the right perspective when I talk to the body shop folks and potentially the insurance company. The body shop is the dealer's, but I trust the body shop manager.
Thanks
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 19, 2012, 9:04 PM
Post #2 of 9
(2859 views)
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Re: ball joint failure
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I'd ask the shop to show you what was damaged mechanically and an estimate for body damage. Be glad you weren't hurt or hope not,
T
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 19, 2012, 9:26 PM
Post #3 of 9
(2839 views)
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Re: ball joint failure
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Shops make their money buy selling needed parts and labor to install them. What would they have to gain by turning their backs on a good paying job. My thoughts are that the ball joint was ok when last looked at , but there is a small chance that they just missed it. BUT, you drove it knowing something was not right (making noise). Soooooooooo I would say its shared .
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2012, 4:07 AM
Post #4 of 9
(2814 views)
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Re: ball joint failure
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I'm not sure about this scenario. Something is not smelling right. Ball joints are very slow wearing items and they simply don't go from good to falling out of the car in that period of time. I would be highly suspect that either something was severely overlooked or something was not assembled securely. An examination should easily tell you if the joint itself failed or something came unbolted.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 20, 2012, 4:15 AM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: ball joint failure
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I was thinking that too HT that ball joints don't just go bad so fast unless somehow broken or something strange if they were really checked so relatively recently?
Tom
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Mycar Isjunk
New User
Jan 20, 2012, 4:52 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: ball joint failure
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Why would a wear-item wearing out be the responsibility of ANY shop? I'm sure the Honda manual says to change these items at a regular interval, and it's probably never been done.
Sure they could have missed an opportunity to quote you a replacement, but in the end it's up to YOU to maintain your vehicle. They're not the ones driving it around, racking up the miles and hitting potholes and such.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2012, 4:59 PM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: ball joint failure
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I don't agree with that at all. If a shop was paid to do a suspension inspection and subsequent repair recently. then the vehicle should be safe for a reasonable period of time. Missing something like that or even worse, somehow causing it is serious negligence.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Mycar Isjunk
New User
Jan 20, 2012, 5:08 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: ball joint failure
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Hard to believe that the shop changed the right ball joint without asking if the owner if he/she wanted the left replaced at the same time.
Sure, maybe they missed a worn joint, or maybe the driver hit a bad pothole after the inspection and fractured it. I just don't think having a car inspected automatically grants the owner a fresh warranty, much less one that covers the whole car.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 20, 2012, 5:14 PM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: ball joint failure
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I believe a court would differ with you. If that customer brings his car into a shop and requests a suspension inspection and subsequent suspension repair and then shortly after he gets killed in a collision caused by a suspension failure that was overlooked, that shop will be in bankruptcy when the family gets done with them.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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