I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. AS SOON AS I STOPPED I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR JERKED FORWARD. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS JUTTING OUT AT AN ANGLE. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WHATSOEVER. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT MY BALL JOINT AND AXLE HAD BROKEN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FASTER OR ON THE FREEWAY--I'M VERY LUCKY MY PASSENGER AND I WERE NOT HURT. *TR