Ball joints break during any of those circumstances. Just depends on when it finally fails. Your point about the shorter cylinders was a good one. However, chains are the most effective way to reduce stress on the balljoints. Most people use 8" cylinders up front. I like to use 6" myself because the upper a-arms still hit frame when locked up.The most destructive force to your ball joints is the added force of locking up and over extending the balljoints. Installing chains keeps the upper a-arm from hitting the frame. All the force being applied through the cylinder is then taken up by the chain and lower a-arm. Hitting the ground does put its own damage in but thats unavoidable
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