The ball joint is designed to connect the wheel hub with the rotary control lever, allowing their free mutual rotation. The ball joint has a rubber boot to protect it from moisture and dust.
The ball joint is a structural element of an automobile suspension designed to transmit a control signal to the wheel from the steering gear. The main advantage of the ball joint is the possibility of free angular displacements of the mating parts with maximum design simplicity.
Design and purpose
Structurally, the ball joint is a separate unit consisting of two mating parts with spherical contact surfaces. The first part is a rod, at one end of which there is a spherical boss, and at the other end there is a thread for connection with the lever of the pivot mechanism. The second part of the assembly covers the first, for which there is an internal spherical surface in the design of the part.
To connect the ball joint to the wheel hub, a flange is located on its housing, which has several mounting holes. The spherical support is attached to the suspension arm with its threaded end.
The ball joint is a very reliable structural unit that, if properly maintained, provides the required durability. The reliable operation of the ball joint is ensured by the lubricant, which is put into the contact cavity.
Features of operation
Leakage of lubricant or ingress of moisture into the working cavity adversely affects the operation of the ball joint and may cause its failure. To ensure protection of the contact surfaces of the hinge, it is protected by a special rubber pad called a boot.
Lack of lubrication can cause wear of the ball joint, the external signs of which are the appearance of an extraneous sound when driving on roads with poor surface quality. Also, increased wear of the spherical bearing can be caused by the ingress of moisture, which contributes to the freezing of the lubricant at negative ambient temperatures. Wear on the ball joint can cause backlash, which will impair vehicle handling and may result in a traffic accident.
To ensure trouble-free operation of the ball joint, regular and systematic monitoring of the condition of the protective boot is necessary. When examining, pay attention to the absence of cracks and other damage. If the integrity of the boot is violated, it is necessary to check the condition of the support itself. Checking the spherical bearing is carried out in a car service.
