Services · Reconditioning
Ball Joint& Tie Rod Recons
Reconditioning for ball joints and tie rods, checked to OEM procedure — the parts that quietly do the most work in a suspension system.
Ball joints and tie rods don’t get much attention until something’s wrong with them, but they’re doing constant work — every bump, turn and steering input runs through them. Like any joint under load, they wear over time.
We inspect ball joints according to OEM or suspension manufacturer-recommended procedures. Because a ball joint pivots through multiple planes rather than flexing like a rubber bushing, it wears faster than you’d expect — and we recondition both types found in a suspension system:
- Load-bearing ball joints — support the vehicle’s weight and provide the steering hinge point
- Non-load-bearing ball joints — maintain precise tolerances in the steering and suspension system
Tie rod ends wear more slowly, but excessive play still needs to be caught. We use dry-park testing to check for wear in tie rod ends, and check inner tie rod ends for knocking or clicking during steering.
Even a small amount of wear in a tie rod end can shift toe angle enough to affect alignment and handling.
If steering feels loose, or the vehicle’s handling has changed, it’s worth having the ball joints and tie rods checked properly.
Noticed play in the steering, or an unusual noise over bumps? Tell us what you’re feeling and we’ll take a look.