Ball Joints, Tie Rods & Control Arms in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
Worn ball joints, tie rods or control arms usually show up as a clunk over bumps, loose steering or a tire wearing out on one edge.
They need fixing, because they are what hold your wheels in place. Ball joints are the pivots your front wheels swivel on. Tie rods link the steering to the wheels, so they are what actually turns them. Control arms are the hinged links that hold each wheel to the frame. You notice it on a washboard county road with a loaded bed, when the truck starts wandering and you are sawing at the wheel just to keep it straight. Bring it in, or we will come and get it.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
We answer texts the same day we get them.
Front-end clunks and wobbles, decoded
Tap the ones that sound like yours.
You ticked 0. That is worth a look.
Text us which onesWhat ball joint and tie rod repair looks like at Moxie
We measure the play, not just the noise. Checking each joint tells us which one is worn and how far gone it is, and it keeps us from replacing parts that are still fine.
We tell you honestly how urgent it is. A slightly worn tie rod end can often be planned for, but a badly worn ball joint can separate and let a wheel fold under the vehicle, and that needs fixing right away.
We finish the job with an alignment on our Hunter equipment. Replacing these parts changes the wheel angles, so aligning afterward protects your tires and puts the steering wheel back where it belongs.
Why Hillsboro trusts Moxie with its ball joint and tie rod repair
-
We measure, not guess
Every joint is checked for play, so you only pay for what is worn.
-
Alignment done in house
Our Hunter alignment equipment covers all makes, so the job is finished properly here.
-
Free pickup and delivery
Worried about driving on a loose joint? We collect it free within 40 road miles, including Newton and Moundridge.
-
NAPA 24/24 warranty
Our repairs are covered for 24 months or 24,000 miles at NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide.
Call or text (620) 416-0008. Describe the noise. We'll do the rest.
Front-end myths we hear at the counter
Hover or tap a card to flip it.
Sounds like yours? Tell us what it is doing and we will tell you straight.
Want the details?
Tap any of these to open it.
What wears out front ends around here
- Normal wear over many miles, since these joints move every time the wheels do
- Torn rubber boots that let grease out and dirt and water in
- Gravel and washboard roads, which hammer the joints constantly
- Potholes and curbs, which can bend a tie rod or control arm
- Heavy loads, towing, bigger tires and lift kits, which put extra strain on every joint
- Rubber control arm bushings that crack and harden with Kansas heat and age
How we check ball joints and tie rods in Hillsboro
- We lift the vehicle so the weight is off the wheels, and check each joint for movement by hand and with a pry bar.
- We rock each front wheel side to side and top to bottom, which separates a loose tie rod from a loose ball joint or wheel bearing.
- We inspect every rubber boot and bushing for tears, cracks and missing grease.
- We read the tire wear, which often shows which part has been loose and for how long.
- We road test to match the noise or steering feel to the part we found.
What we check
- Upper and lower ball joints
- Inner and outer tie rod ends
- Control arms and their rubber bushings
- Sway bar links and bushings
- Wheel bearings, which can feel similar
- Tire wear pattern and alignment angles
What the repair usually turns out to be
- Replacing worn ball joints, sometimes as part of a complete control arm
- Replacing inner or outer tie rod ends
- Replacing control arms or pressing in new bushings
- Replacing sway bar links, a common cause of rattles
- A wheel alignment afterward, which is needed after nearly all of these repairs
Ball joint and tie rod repair across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Ball joint and tie rod questions we hear every week
Is it safe to drive with a bad ball joint?
It is not safe for long, and how long depends on how worn it is. A ball joint that fails completely can let the wheel fold under the vehicle, often at low speed while turning, and you lose steering on that side. If you hear a new clunk up front or the steering feels loose, have it checked soon, and we can pick it up if you prefer.
Do I need an alignment after replacing tie rods?
You almost always do. The tie rods set the direction your front wheels point, so replacing one changes the alignment even when the new part is the same length. Without an alignment the steering can sit crooked and the tires can wear out quickly. We include it in the quote, so there are no surprises at pickup.
How much does ball joint or tie rod replacement cost?
It depends on which parts are worn and how they are built on your vehicle. On some, the ball joint presses into the control arm, and on others the whole arm is replaced as one piece. Call or text (620) 416-0008 and we will inspect it and give you a price, alignment included, before any work starts.