[Phillip 360]

09 Mustang, 34k miles - Just as my warranty expires (3yrs up).... things start breaking. When I drive 45+ mph my steering wheel shakes somewhat violently, but somehow it is drive-able. Pep Boys installed ceramic pads on the front yesterday and looked into the problem and said the "control arm with ball joint" is loose and they need to replace it. San Antonio roads are miserable and have TONS of bumps and potholes so I figured something would go eventually.
What do you think the problem is? How safe do you think it is to drive on it and for how long?

Thanks

 

[G.O. Stang]

Another thing to check is if any of the weights have fallen off of your wheels. When my wheels got out of balance the wheel shook terribly at speeds above 45.

On what pepboys said: As for the length of safe drivable time, I'd get them replaced as soon as possible. The shaking will only heighten the problem of them wearing.

 

[Immortal]

Jeah the wheels would be my first try, sometimes they get out of balance. Normally you´ll notice that at about 60mph when it´s minor, at 45, they have to bequite unbalanced to shake the steering wheel hard.

 

[Bitter]

+1 I bought my '06 used with relatively new tires but bad balancing. It wasn't noticeable until around 60+ mph. 45 seems too low for that to be the problem.

 

[MaximusNeo701]

I had the same issue and shake got worse at 45 but then would start to go away at 70+ I had my wheels rebalanced and that took care of most of it though I know some of it is related to a tie ride end that needs replacing.

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[yellstang05]

My guess is that the wheel has become out of balance because the counterweights have fallen off. Has the car been washed with a powerful hose lately? I did that once and sprayed some weights off the wheel causing the wheel to shake above 50mph.

Not having seen what the ball joints look like on your car and going with the suggestion of what pepboys said to you assuming the ball joints have gone bad, they need to be replaced.

What you can try doing is taking the tire (while car is up in air and wheel still bolted on) and try to wobble the wheel while holding it at the 12 and 6 o'clock position. If you get excess play, your ball joints have likely gone bad and you will need to replace the ball joint.

1. Get wheels balanced (about $40 depending on where you go)
2. If balancing doesn't fix it, then try new ball joints.
Hope this helps you

 

[mrjimmy]

I would get a 2nd opinion on the ball joints,,,not that PEP Boys isnt a good place to get work done,,,but your problem,as with all the comments here, is more a wheel balance issue than the Ball Joint. Spend a few bucks,somewhere else, and get the wheels balanced.