Looks like I need a new ball joint on my 99 V70 AWD at only 89500km (55600 miles). Is this a premature failure or a normal occurance?

Steve

I wouldn't say "normal" but I've seen it a few times with '98-'00 cars lately myself at lower mileage like that. The older cars did much better with balljoints.
Now......the S80s, '01 V70s, S60s are failing even much earlier with their "new and improved" design, sometimes at 12,000 miles. Amazing isn't it? Technology in reverse I'd say, or just "cheapness".

12 Mar 02

2001 V70 T5, 36500 kms, all highway and no rough treatment.
Both front ball joints and both front sway bar links replaced. They were all badly worn; ball joints would move 4 or 5 mms. Service person told me that replacements were higher quality. We will see. My 1994 850, 211,000 kms still has original ball joints.

R.A. Froebel