Ball joint / noise/ mechanics

[Stick_man]

How do u know if u need ball joints?had a mechanic tell me a year ago I needed ball joints.

Took my truck to fix flat last month and they checked them With wiggle method ie when jacked up; hands pulling and pushing in 11:00 and 5:00 position. I then tried myself and could not budge them.

I heard a noise coming from front end when heavy stop and go traffic and speed bumps. I took it to a shop to get everything greased (my real jack doesn't work and I don't have a grease gun). Anyways still making the noise and he tells me I need ball joints.

Again I jack up truck with crappy ford jack, hands 11:00 and 5:00 position, I can move the truck side to side but no real play when I push and pull on tire.

 

[koda2000]

you have to place the jack under the lower control arm. Then jack it up until the wheel just leaves the ground. Movement at 12-6 = ball joints. movement at 3-9 = tie-rod ends.

 

[Flash]

You need to see if there is movement in the ball joint by apply force directly onto the ball joint.

Try compressing the ball joint with large multi grip pliers then try getting some movement with a lever.

Any amount of movement is good.

 

[crunchie_frog]

I do something like this. I jack up one side of the vehicle, so the front tire is about 3 inches off the ground. Then I stick a 4 or 5 ft 2x4 under the tire with a fulcrum under the 2x4 and use the 2x4 as a lever to try to lift the tire up while looking at the ball joint. You can see easily if it there is play in the lower ball joint. You pretty much have to be laying down to do this. It is harder for me to see the upper ball joint when doing this and I usually get a helper. If your vehicle has original ball joints, it is almost certain that they need to be replaced. The originals came with no grease fittings and the boots deteriorate and tear after a while as well. Great threads on here how to do it yourself. If you take it to a shop, for both sides and upper and lower, followed by alignment, my guess you will be in the $600 -$800 range. You can do it yourself, with alignment for less than $200.