Checking ball joints?

[97splorer]

How do I check the ball joints on my X? Should the wheel not move up or down- or left and right? When I reverse and turn the wheels it kinda pops somewhere under the vehicle. Could that be the u-joints?

 

[hvac man]

It could be a ball joint. You have to raise the tire off the ground and wiggle the tire back and fourth with one hand on the top of the tire and one hand on the bottom of the tire. It is helpful if you have a friend to hold their hand on the ball joint while you do it so they can feel for movement. If it is real bad you don't need a friend. If there is any movement other than the way the tire should turn on the ball joint it is bad.

 

[hvac man]

I just re-read your post. The noise, is it happening while driving in reverse or when you are just turning the wheel while stopped? If you are driving it could also be a CV joint.