BMW 3 Series are portable luxury vehicles created to drive with a high level of accuracy and smoothness. But what happens when your ride feels off—like your steering is loose or there’s an unusual clunking noise? If this sounds familiar, then you may have a bad ball joint on your hands. Ball joints are key parts of your automobile’s suspension system. When they wear out, they don’t only change the way your car steers; they can make driving less safe. Let’s examine how faulty ball joints affect your BMW 3 Series driving and how to repair the damage.
How Ball Joint Failures Impact Handling
- Loose Steering: If your BMW ball joint is worn out, your steering will become a bit loose or nonresponsive to your directions. You might discover that there’s a slight lag between the input that is provided and the output that comes from the car, which makes the car slightly hard to control.
- Uneven Tire Wear: Loose ball joints can also cause the suspension system to be off balance, causing tires to wear out unevenly. This wear and tear is not healthy for the car in the long run because it will be difficult to maneuver, especially when cornering or braking.
- Clunking Noises: A ball joint that is damaged makes a clunk sound when driving over a hunch or while turning the steering wheel. This noise suggests that the joint is not holding suspension parts tightly enough and this will be seen to affect the handling and upset the quiet of your BMW.
- Vibration in the Steering Wheel: If a ball joint is badly worn, the driver will begin to feel vibrations passing through the steering wheel. This can also make driving uncomfortable and affect your ability to steer since you will be focusing on the car steering instead of the road.
- Poor Suspension Performance: Ball joints are very important because they enable the suspension to move as it should. When they fail, the car will not be able to absorb the bumps properly, which further leads to a very bumpy ride and poor handling.
How to Repair a Faulty Ball Joint
- Inspect the Ball Joints: During a physical examination of the vehicle, an experienced technician may find that the ball joints are worn or damaged. This inspection typically includes looking for too much play or motion.
- Replace the Faulty Ball Joint: Ball joints are non-serviceable parts, meaning that if you realize that yours is damaged, you will need to replace it. Some professionals suggest changing two at a time, on opposite ends of the car, to keep the car’s suspension in proper alignment.
- Wheel Alignment: Once the ball joint has been replaced, you must take your wheels for alignment. A correct alignment causes your tires to wear out in the right manner, and your car responds as it was designed when you try to steer on the road.
- Test the Suspension: After a new ball joint is inserted, the mechanic will (normally) check the suspension assembly to ascertain that all features are fine.
Come To Motor Cars International — We’ll Handle All Your BMW Needs
If you have a feeling that your BMW 3 Series 
has a problem with the ball joint, our team at Motor Cars International is at your service. We are located in Bridgewater, MA, and specialize in European automobile repair and maintenance, so handling your suspension issues will be a piece of cake for us. Our team of professionals is well prepared to identify if your BMW has an abnormality with the ball joint and correct it so that it can give you the kind of handling you want.
We have been in business for many years, and our major aim is to offer high-quality BMW repairs so we can meet all your needs. We also deal with repairs and maintenance for BMW owners who live in places like Easton, Sharon, Norton, and Raynham, MA. See a professional at Motor Car International for diagnosis and service. Let’s get you back on the road feeling comfortable again!