| Brand | Car Name | Model | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Corolla | — | 2000- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla S. Us | — | 2002- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla Hb/Lb | — | 1998- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla Hb(Ukp) | — | 2001- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla Sed/Wg(Ukp) | — | 2002- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Altis | — | 2002- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Wish | — | 2003- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Rav-4 | — | 2003- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla Usa | — | 2000- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corolla | — | 1991- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Corona | — | 1992- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Carina | — | 1996- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Carina 4wd | — | 1996- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Ipsum | — | 1996- | LOW R/L |
| Toyota | Avensis Verso | — | 2001- | LOW R/L |
A ball joint is the spherical bearing that connects a suspension control arm to the steering knuckle — the pivot that lets the front wheel steer left and right while also moving up and down with the suspension. Modern independent front suspensions have one or two ball joints per side; ball joints are also used at some rear-suspension and 4×4 driveline locations.
Also known as: lower ball joint, upper ball joint, suspension ball joint, BJ.
The ball-shaped stud rotates freely inside its socket, allowing the knuckle to swivel for steering input AND tilt vertically as the suspension compresses and extends — both motions through a single compact joint.
On a standard control-arm/strut layout the lower ball joint is load-bearing (carries vehicle weight) and the upper joint, if present, is a follower (positions the knuckle but carries no vertical load). On a double-wishbone suspension both joints share the load.
The two ball joints (or one ball joint plus the strut bearing) define the steering axis. Joint wear shifts that axis, throwing camber and caster out of spec.
A hardened steel ball stud retained in a polymer (PTFE/POM) or metal-on-metal bearing inside a forged or pressed steel housing. Sealed with a neoprene/polyurethane boot and pre-greased for life on most modern designs (a handful of heavy-duty designs retain a grease zerk). Press-in or bolt-in mounting depending on control arm design.
Should I replace ball joints in pairs?
For load-bearing (lower) joints, yes — both sides see equal duty cycle and the second usually fails soon after the first. Upper (follower) joints can be replaced individually if only one shows wear.
Can I drive with a worn ball joint?
Not safely. Complete failure of a load-bearing ball joint causes the wheel to collapse outward — the vehicle drops onto the suspension and loses steering control. Replace immediately once play is detected.
Is alignment required after replacement?
Yes. Camber and caster are set by ball-joint position; replacement always shifts those values and a rack alignment is mandatory.
How long do ball joints last?
OEM joints typically last 120,000–250,000 km on paved roads. Off-road use, salt corrosion or boot damage shortens life dramatically.
No. This is an aftermarket replacement manufactured by SLOOP, designed to meet OEM specifications. The OE number SB-3642 is referenced under nominative fair use solely to identify vehicle compatibility — it does not imply licensing, endorsement, or affiliation with any vehicle manufacturer. For genuine OEM parts, contact your authorized dealer.
Form-fit-function tested against the OEM specification. Material test reports and dimensional drawings are sent with every quote. For high-volume orders we will produce a sample-grade pre-production unit for your QC team's verification before main run.
ISO 9001:2015 quality management, plus REACH / RoHS for EU compliance. Material test reports and PPAP documentation are available on request for tier-1 buyers. Certificates ship with first shipment of every new SKU.
No free samples. Your first order doubles as the qualification batch. We hold the production run until you confirm visual + dimensional inspection from the first carton. If anything is out of spec we re-make at our cost.
100% T/T (bank wire) before production start. USD only. Bank details and proforma invoice are sent after you accept the quote. No credit terms, no Letters of Credit on first order.
In-stock items ship in 15–30 days from confirmed payment. Make-to-order production: 90–120 days from confirmed payment. Air freight (DHL / FedEx, door-to-door tracked) 5–7 days. Sea freight 25–40 days depending on destination port. We can quote FOB Taiwan or DDP your warehouse.
Upload your full parts inquiry on the quote page. We match every line we carry and flag the rest for our manufacturing roadmap. Aggregated inquiries directly drive our next production batch.