This section applies to the inspection, sale and installation of ball joints, which for the purpose of this chapter are defined as ball-and-socket assemblies designed to carry the vertical and horizontal stresses in the front suspension system of a motor vehicle while permitting steering and suspension movement. All motor vehicle repair shops engaged in the sale and installation of ball joints shall be subject to the following requirements:
(1) Except as set forth in subsections (5) and (6) of this section, any determination that a ball joint is worn or loose shall be made with an instrument specifically designed and manufactured for measurement of ball joint wear or looseness.
(2) The instrument required by subsection (1) of this section shall be used, calibrated and maintained in accordance with the instructions issued by its manufacturer. The manufacturer shall be an original equipment manufacturer or a manufacturer who is generally known within the automotive repair industry as a supplier of such instruments.
(3) The measurement of wear or looseness of a ball joint shall be stated in thousandths of an inch (.001) or in millimeters, whichever is appropriate to the vehicle and to the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer or of the replacement parts manufacturer.
(4) If a ball joint is sold and installed, the degree of wear or looseness of the ball joint being replaced must be recorded on the customer's invoice in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. The maximum allowable wear or looseness permitted by the original manufacturer must be stated.
(5) If a ball joint is equipped with an integral means of measuring wear or looseness, such measurement shall be made and reported in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.
(6) A ball joint that has been manufactured with a means of manual adjustment to compensate for wear shall be adjusted in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
(7) The foregoing requirements are not to be construed as prohibiting the sale and installation of ball joints when the sale and installation are made with the consent of the customer, provided that a full disclosure of the requirements of this section is made to the customer.
(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)
Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-120 as this § 4-228-280.