Component
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
What Happened
The lower ball joint in your vehicle is a crucial part that connects your control arms to your wheels. It helps control the movement of your car when driving. In some cases, these joints weren't tightened properly when they were installed.
Risk if Unfixed
If the ball joint attaching nuts aren't tightened correctly, they can loosen over time, causing the joint to break. This could make it harder to control your vehicle, increasing the risk of an accident.
Free Fix
Your dealer will check the tightness of the ball joint attaching nuts. If they're loose, they'll either tighten them to the correct specification or replace the ball joint with a new one – all at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.
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