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What is your question?
the two control arms have ball joint boots torn. Can I still drive it for awhile. There is no problem with the steering wheel when driving. I hear a squeak now and then.
What makes this problem better or worse?
nothing
How long has your 2003 Lincoln Navigator had this problem?
More than a month
1 Reply
Hi, I'm one of the auto experts on RepairPal's Car Genius team! Great question. The boots on the ball joints are designed to keep the grease in and protect the ball joint from dirt and debris. Once the boot fails, the ball joint will ultimately fail too from lack of grease and debris getting into it. However just because the boot is torn does not mean the ball joint is bad now. It just means it likely will be in the not too distant future. If you need to wait before doing the repair it is safe to continue driving, just keep an ear out for any noises that develop or get worse as well as any feelings of looseness in the front end. Once the ball joints themselves start to fail, its definitely something to take care of as soon as you can as it will affect handling and tire wear and can ultimately be a safety issue if it gets bad enough. If you’d like to find a trusted, certified repair shop in your area, you can check here: https://repairpal.com/certified If you need more advice, or have any further questions about your vehicle, we’re here to help. Just give us a call at 877-913-1554