"clicks" are usually FWD or 4wd/AWD CV axles going or gone out.
Ball joints usually "pop" or "thunk/clunk" from literally popping up & down in the ball joint socket of the knuckle/steering upright.
Other non-audio tips to ball joints:
* vague steering
* lethargic/slow turn-in response to your steering wheel action then sudden fast changes at certain points.
* odd tire wear on one or more tires in the axle set
You can jack the truck up off the ground on one side. put your hands at 12noon & 6oclock and try to tip the wheel back & forth. If it jumps in & then jumps back at all, its an upper or lower or both.
Our trucks are at least nice enough to give us a great visual clue.. they just disintegrate. ther rubber boot between the steering knuckle/upright & the control arm should be solid, no tears, and fills the gap completely. usually after 60K-up they will be torn, shredded or just plain gone, the boots that is.
If you are hearing anything "rotational" like:
* rhythmic clicking usually CV joints, unless a front bearing hub has completely shredded its metal casing, very rare.
* speed proportional "whump whump whump" or whirring, usually the wheel bearing(s)
Steering part failures usually show in tire wear, weird steering feel/looseness, wandering on the road & pulling when brakes are applied.
Rob
