Ball joint, loud sound. Can I drive?

Wcool

Hi,

This morning when just before arriving at work, I heard a loud snap sound and I am nearly sure my front right ball joint is gone (my car is actually marked to get a new one this Friday after NCT pointed it out).

Can I still drive home (12 miles) or is this very dangerous?

Thanks

rex-x

If in doubt, dont drive it

Wcool

Well, safely home now, i drove it back.

Slightly scary as every small dink in the road resulted in a scraping noise but it the car was responsive. Will drive it one more time to the garage

Thanks for the advice

Renegade Mechanic

Wcool wrote: »

Hi,

This morning when just before arriving at work, I heard a loud snap sound and I am nearly sure my front right ball joint is gone (my car is actually marked to get a new one this Friday after NCT pointed it out).

Can I still drive home (12 miles) or is this very dangerous?

Thanks

Ball joints don't usually go with a loud snap, but suspension springs do. Generally it's the end of the coil that breaks, meaning you're fine to drive if, IIFFFFFF the strut/shock that the spring is sat on is wider than the spring. Like so.



For some cars that's not the case, spring breaks and aims for the tyre, and trust me when I say that'll liven up a dull, sleepy work commute

Renegade Mechanic

Pah hahaha, that was from the Azeala banks thread, hold on

Edit: OK, correct picture posted

Wcool

you could well be right, it was clear during driving there was no suspension at the right front side. I don't know enough about cars to be sure.

The car is a Peugeot 407 2005. Whatever snapped was a really a loud noise, I thought I had drive over something I hadn't seen...