The BMW 3 Series are well known and popular luxury cars among the different brands and options out there. They are some of the highest selling cars in all of BMW, and are well regarded for their endurance, handling and performance. Stylish and speedy, the cars can encounter problems from time to time though.
Ball joints work with the car’s suspension system. They link the wheels to the suspension and are important for steering. More specifically, ball joints are circular bearing studs closed in a steel casing. They connect control arms to steering knuckles in the suspension system. This in sum forms ball-and-socket joints between the suspension and the wheel, allowing vertical motion. In other words, this whole system softens bumps and impacts during your driving experience. It also helps the engine from getting bumped around, and damaged, as well.
Bad ball joints can cause vehicle drifting and difficult steering. The 3 Series is known to have some issues with ball joint failure, in part due to their fragility.
How to spot ball joint failure
If you notice clunking noises, especially from the front end of your car, these are signs of ball joint failure. Even if they are quiet, a ball joint failure will slowly get louder and louder over time, until the ball joints break entirely.
If you notice vibrations from the front end of your car, this is something to pay attention to as well. Vibrations can increase over time, to the point where the steering wheel itself could vibrate.
If your car cannot drive in a straight line, this is another sign of ball joint failure.
Causes of Ball Joint Failure
Ball joints can fail for various reasons. One of them is normal wear and tear. Wear and tear can be caused by multiple things though. This could occur from a lack of lubrication. This could be caused by parking your car in a location with extreme heat for too long. Another factor to consider are any seals that are dry or damaged. This is important because those seals cover the ball joints. When the seals are compromised, foreign objects can enter the car’s tires.
If you like to drive your car on rough terrain, that is something you may want to reconsider. This is because frequent driving on rough terrain, causing the car to experience a lot of bumps and jolts, can cause cracks and leaks on the ball joints and seals, making a serious performance downgrade for the ball joints. In other words, your driving habits could impact the lifespan of the ball joints. Accordingly, it is best to drive the car on smooth, paved roads.
Weather can play more of a role than you think. If the car is parked outside during rainy weather or high humidity, the steel on the ball joints could break down.
Preventative Maintenance
If you notice any symptoms of ball joint failure, you should seek a solution as soon as possible.
You could consider bringing the car to a qualified mechanic to have the ball joint examined and worked upon. If your car is already vibrating and making noises, the ball joint must be replaced. It cannot be repadded at the joint. In addition, the rest of the suspension system should be checked at this point, because other problems may exist in the car.
Regular oil changes are important, to reduce the buildup of contaminants that can damage the ball joints.
Regular, professional, preventative maintenance is important too. This can prevent problems that you cannot easily see before they become more serious and more expensive.
DART Auto
Located in Denver, Colorado, DART Auto is 
a leading German auto repair shop with over 20 years of proud service. They also service Englewood, Littleton and Centennial. All parts have a 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty on parts and labor. You can get dealer quality German auto repair for less. If you have an Audi, BMW, Mini, Porsche or Volkswagen, DART Auto’s highly trained and certified master technicians would be happy to service your vehicle.
