The ball joint was developed long before the first car. Simply put, this is a hinge that rotates in all planes. Its disadvantages include the limited progress, as well as some fragility. She, as a rule, becomes the cause of low-quality material. Unfortunately, this also applies to the domestic auto industry. Often up to 30,000 - 40,000 resources are declared on the box, but the ball bearing begins to knock after a couple of thousand.
In addition, you cannot blame one specific manufacturer, since the products of the same company differ significantly in the results shown. The classic independent front suspension uses two ball joints on each side. They provide suspension travel and serve to enable the wheels to turn. It is worth remembering that such a scheme is applicable only for independent suspension, since when using a transverse beam, the ball joints are replaced by pivots.
The ball bearing is the most vulnerable “body” of the front suspension, even shock absorbers have a longer service life. By the way, the wear of the first significantly reduces it. And not only him, but also, all rubber products that are used in the suspension suffer. So to monitor their condition is mandatory. Unfortunately, as long as the ball bearing does not knock, it cannot be diagnosed without dismantling, which, in fact, interferes.
But do not postpone it simply because "a good knock should prove itself." This means that it can fly out at the most inopportune moment. Well, if this happens in the summer in the village and at low speed. Even under such conditions, bruises are inevitable. The lower ball joint suffers the most, because it accounts for almost the entire mass of the car. When falling into a pit, it is unloaded, and under the action of a spring it is "pulled out" in the opposite direction.
Such a scenario sooner or later causes wear, because there is an anvil effect that not every steel grade can withstand. Unfortunately, modern manufacturers neglect this particular aspect of production, which leads to premature failure. The ball bearing of a VAZ usually costs 300 rubles, replacing all will cost 1200, despite the fact that you will have to do the work yourself. And these are nerves, time, maybe even injuries. If you take into account the resource of work, then you have to change them twice a season, depending on the operating conditions.
I would like to dispel the myth that ball bearings wear out only on domestic cars. The fact is that most parts are manufactured under license, which means that they can be made in Russia or abroad. For example, in France there is a factory that supplies spare parts for the "classics", in addition, they are produced for 27 more brands of the world. Quality does not depend on the brand of the car, not on the manufacturer, not on the country in which the plant is located, but on the metal from which this or that spare part is made. For the use of most of them, this factor is most important. But everyone has their own opinion.