2007 V: NEEDED LOWER BALL JOINTS.............. YEAH NO KIDDING!!

[Driving Instructor]

140 000 kms and I brought it in for my 8 month safety inspection and it failed because both ball joints had play! The left one had a huge amount of play. I actually had to park it until friday as the parts don't come in until FRIDAY..........

A GOOD THING I HAVE A TOYOTA TACOMA TO TEACH DRIVING IN! Ignore the reindeer........ it was for the santa clause parade.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Red Devil]

Well it is a teaching vehicle.

[VersaMG08]

Well it is a teaching vehicle.

[Driving Instructor]

Funny how my Honda did not need ball joints at 140.

Also, what do you guys think we do in that training car..lol They don't drive it like it's stolen.......... I sometimes do!

I was able to get 138 000 kms out of the original rotors........ and there was still alot of beef on them. They warped and I did not want to waste money to get them turned.

[Red Devil]

Funny how my Honda did not need ball joints at 140.

Also, what do you guys think we do in that training car..lol They don't drive it like it's stolen.......... I sometimes do!

I was able to get 138 000 kms out of the original rotors........ and there was still alot of beef on them. They warped and I did not want to waste money to get them turned.

Alls I know is that teenagers are generally horrible drivers.

[Driving Instructor]

Alls I know is that teenagers are generally horrible drivers.

Yeah they think they know how to drive........ my job is to break them and bring them back to the basics.

They should make a reality show about driver training. It's not what it used to be!!

[superskunk]

tell Mike Rowe... he likes to do the reality shows...

[MinisterofDOOM]

Honestly, 140,000 km is a fairly decent lifespan for a control arm ball joint. It's a high-wear rubber component. Your Honda might not have NEEDED new ball joints at 140k km but they certainly weren't as good as new either.

Remember, ball joints are sealed rubber pockets containing heavy lubricant (grease). That lubricant becomes less effective with time and wear. And the rubber containing it breaks down with time due to oxidation and other factors, which can lead to grease leaking out and becoming exposed to moisture, greatly accelerating wear and failure. Lubricants can only remain effective so long. Even if the seal remains perfect forever the grease inside will eventually loose it's effectiveness.

What sucks is that (unless the V is different from every other Nissan) the ball joint can't be replaced without replacing the entire control arm assembly. Not even the dealer can order them as discrete parts.

I'd say anwhere from 140k km to 240k km is acceptable lifespan for the ball joints.

[frankoV]

They should make a reality show about driver training. It's not what it used to be!!

Call CTV or CBC with a proposal. Seriously [they both have specialty channels]. Canadian programming ideas are at a premium. Andt here is lots of government money available.

[hmmm . . . if you don't, I will . . . a producers gig would be nice]

[IMHungry]

Was it coverd by warranty?

[Driving Instructor]

Was it coverd by warranty?

Yeppers, I have extended warrany up to 160.

Here is the kicker: I was in there about 3 weeks ago because I still herd the KLUNK. So they did a front end inspection and missed the ball joints. I had my car in for new tires and Canadian tire picked it up.

[Brunswck]

I think thats really not that bad considering Thunder Bay roads!

[1_Sleek_Versa]

"Here is the kicker: I was in there about 3 weeks ago because I still herd the KLUNK. So they did a front end inspection and missed the ball joints. I had my car in for new tires and Canadian tire picked it up."

Now that is embarassing. Major fail there. What did the Nissan service manager say about that?

[Promise Land]

Has anyone from Field Quality ever contacted you to look and drive your car? Before long you will have a new car. What haven't you replaced by now?

[Driving Instructor]

Was planning to keep it for 2 more years.........

I was hoping to get 250 000 kms. I am happy I bought the extended warranty. It paid for itself already!

What do you think a car with 250 000 kms will be worth in 2 years (I will post this question)

It does go under a safety inspection every 8 months so safety is not an issue....... well except for this last episode.