We have a regularly recurring thread about the strengths of balljoints in various applications.

I have a Vectra GSi Estate at work which hit a wall at ???mph, impacting the N/S/F side, outboard of the chassis. The bodywork evaporated and the main impact was to the roadwheel which buckled like a milk bottle top. The lower wishbone broke under tension at the front bush joint, the wheel pushed back into the bulkhead, splitting it and partially entered the passenger foot well. The A pillar folded in and the whole safety cell distorted to the extent that neither N/S doors would open. A large compression dent appeared in the roof and the front screen distorted and cracked.

The lower balljoint was totally undamaged in the accident, just a bit of reassurance for those using front wheel drive balljoints
Rescued attachment BalljointWorries1.jpg

...and another
Rescued attachment BalljointWorries2.jpg

.. even more
Rescued attachment BalljointWorries3.jpg

bloody hell that did have a bad day...

incidentally, if you use inboard suspension with rocker top wishbones then the load falls back onto the upper joint. quite irrelevant i know but anyway...

I had a nut strip off my bottom ball joint a couple of years back on a bumpy country road near home and I steered the car round the bend on 3 wheels with the other one flailing about loose on the top balljoint at about 40mph. Put a new joint in next day but was very wary for a long time on left handers.

yours, Pete.

My nearside lower ball joint failed just over a year ago - the ball popped out of its socket. Result was instant stopping and immobility - no steering etc. Fortunately I was only going about 15 - 20 mph at the time so no major damage. I am very cautious about worn ball joints now though!

..another one, very similar, again the balljoint is undamaged
Rescued attachment P1050010.JPG

you got plenty doners there mark

8 a day at the moment minimun, its mainly due to the level of the sun at going to work time. they cannot see for squinting!