need info on ball joints

[Julia69]

I have a 2000 ford escort and whenever we drive the car it makes a loud grinding noise and it feels as if the car is going to fall apart at the wheels and when i apply the brakes it get even louder. its mainly in the front and i need some help to know how to fix it. i have been told its the ball joint but i dont know how to fix it and i already have the part. please help, thanks.

[Davescort97]

Welcome to AF. It is not difficult to replace a ball joint. Below are the steps.

1. Jack the front of the car up and place under stands. Don't trust a jack alone.
2. At the base of the hub remove the ball joint clamp and nut. Take it off comepetely because it is notched.
3. Remove the two bolts holding the ball joint to the lower control arm. One is on the upper side and one is on the lower side of the arm.
4. Remove the ball joint.

After replacing the ball joint (s) have the front end aligned. Specifically the toe-in.

[Julia69]

Thanks a lot.God Bless

[denisond3]

I would not have thought a bad ball joint would make noise when just driving along on level pavement. Noise when the car is moving I would think was a bad wheel bearing. Noise that gets worse when you put on the brake would make me think one or more of the brake pads were worn down, and it was then noise of the pads griding against the rotor.
So have a look when you work on the car. The rotors should be shiny and smooth looking, on both the outer and inner surfaces. Some slight grooving is okay, but if the rotor has a rough surface and metal shavings are found around the brake caliper - that would indicate bad pads and perhaps the need for a new pair of rotors. (Things like pads and rotors should usually be changed on both right and left wheels). Come to think of it, so should ball joints.
With the car jacked up so the wheel is in the air, can you grab the wheel and shake it - and feel any movement? Shaking it with hands at noon and 6 might let a bad ball joint show up as movement between the hub assembly and the lower control arm. Shaking it with hands at 3 pm and 9 pm would show any movement due to a bad tie rod end - hopefully outer, as inner tie rod ends are harder to replace.
Good Luck...

[AzTumbleweed]

Inspect the brakes.