Clicking Noise coming from drivers side dashboard

[twooverpar]

I think it's my ball joints, but have a couple of questions. Is there any rhyme or reason to the clicking produced by ball joints? My noise is random and It is one click at a time, not click, click, click, etc. It just clicks once. Sometimes when I accelerate, sometimes when I brake and sometimes inbetween. I just noticed it after I had my wheel bearings replaced and new Gabriel VST's put on. Any ideas or am I stuck with bad ball joints? They are friggin expensive.

Thanks.

I have a 97 4WD SOHC.

 

[Jason_25]

How do you know it's ball joints? Have you jacked it up and cycled the suspension to see?

It might be as simple as shock bushings.

 

[twooverpar]

I had a one mechanic tell me my ball joints were bad (Specifically the drivers side) and another at a different shop tell me they looked ok. The clicking just started after the repairs I listed above and sounds like it is coming from right behind the dashboard (even though I don't think it is in the dashboard). How would I know if it is the shock bushings?

 

[Jason_25]

A visual inspection would normally suffice. Make sure there is no metal on metal contact and that the bushings are not cracked and worn.

If that doesn't help, remove the front anti-sway bar and go for a drive. It commonly makes noise too.

 

[twooverpar]

Thanks