Failed ball joint

[Wef]

They are easy to replace
I got it down to 20 minutes including pressing out .
However my experience and my next door nabour is that they do come loose easily . probably because our local road surface is less than perfect.causing much noise.

 

[decimal]

Would you recommend changing the ball joints on a 10-year-old Leaf just as a precaution, even after there are no creaking sounds once the suspension mounts have been changed? Assume that the car is left outside in all weather and has to cope with really rough pot holes every day..

 

[Wef]

Probably not
I had so much trouble getting a good hold in the wish bone.if they are ok and you are unable to get any movement with a bar from underneath leave well alone.
Modern test equipment is a different story.where a test is concerned probably yes but change the entire unit.i have successfully changed the joint only . But you have to ease the old joint out using heat and a press so as not to damage the wish bone
Even then you can be unlucky.do strongly advise change lot.