The ball joint, also known as the universal joint, is an important component in the automotive transmission system. It is mainly located on the drive shaft joint and is responsible for transmitting power. The ball joint consists of a metal semi-cylindrical shell and two universal joint arms that can rotate freely in the shell.
Types and structures
The ball joint can be divided into an inner ball joint and an outer ball joint. The inner ball joint is close to the gearbox and is an important part of the gearbox power output. It is usually used on the half-axle of a front-wheel drive vehicle. The outer ball joint is located on the elevation of the tire and is responsible for transmitting power to the wheel.
Classification and function
The classification of ball joints includes three-pronged structure and six-ball sliding constant velocity universal joints. The three-pronged structure uses three needle bearings and can slide freely in the track in the bell-shaped shell, which is suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles. The six-ball sliding constant velocity universal joint uses steel balls in the inclined track to achieve excellent performance and noise control, and is also an ideal choice for four-wheel drive vehicles.
Fault diagnosis
To determine whether the ball cage is damaged, you can use the following methods: If the inner ball cage is damaged, there will generally be no sound or the sound is very small, while if the outer ball cage is damaged, it will make a "clicking" sound when the steering wheel is turned to the left. You can judge whether it is the inner ball cage or the outer ball cage that is damaged by turning the steering wheel to the left and listening to the left side, and turning the steering wheel to the right and listening to the right side.