Ball Joint failure

[alonsorules8.1]

I own a 2008 Versa SL. I had brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced at the dealer one month ago, after 1500 miles of driving after the brake job an popping noise could be heard after coming to a stop and when slowly accelerating. At first I thought it was sticking brake pads but today I brought it to the servicing dealer and found out that the rotors were chattering so I replaced them.

On my 50 mile drive home the popping noise and a new severe clicking noise developed turning left so I turned around and discovered that the LF ball joint was the real problem as it had completely failed and the right side was on it way out so my Versa is at the dealer having both lower control arms replaced, it is the only way to replace the ball joints. Total cost is expected to be around $900.

P.S my Versa has 107k miles on it, hopefully the 10 mile I drove on the failed ball joint didn't damage any other suspension components.

I hope that this write up will help everyone else out if you notice a popping noise at the brake pedal when coming to a stop or at acceleration, please have your lower ball joints checked so you wont have to drive a wounded car to a shop or have to get a tow.

[IBCoupe]

Sucks. Thanks for the heads up; it's good for folks to know the symptoms of serious issues, especially if you can save money by catching them before they catastrophically fail.

[alonsorules8.1]

Absolutely. That is why the forums are so important.

I got the car back today and it was without question the ball joints that were the problem. The suspension is nice and snug it feels brand new again.

[IBCoupe]

Nice! Enjoy the ride.

[silverarrow27]

Holy crap that's expensive! I'll just probably hit as many Nissan forums as possible for someone that works for a local stealership and buy the arms with a discount. I'll do the labor myself if you do in fact have to replace the control arm. I find it odd and not very economical though. Why waste a perfectly good chunk of metal?

[alonsorules8.1]

The ball joints are machine pressed into the lower control arm and I do not have the facilities to borrow a press to remove the bad ball joint and press in a new one. According to Nissans own parts site you cannot by the ball joint separately.

I was 50 miles from home when the ball joints failed and the dealer was closer only 5 miles so it just bit the bullet and had them fix the issue. They gave me a $200 discount off parts and labor.

If you are mechanically inclined and feel you can do this repair yourself at home you will save a lot of money.I didn't have that option when it happened.