Need ball joint experience for '96 2wd

[ratterrier]

Hi,

I just took my truck to PA inspection, and the shop claims I need new lower ball joints. I'm thinking the shop may be a little over-zealous. So if anyone can help me with the following questions, I'd appreciate it.

1) The inspecting mechanic applied a pair of big channel-locks to show me the wear by squeezing the joint from above and below. The movement was almost unnoticeable. Is that all it takes to diagnose a ball joint as worn ??

2) They told me worn ball joints would cause a shimmy, much like out-of-balance tires. I don't seem to have that, but I do get a vibration/pulsation when I brake. This started after I had new pads put on the front about 6 months ago. When I pointed it out to the installer, they said it was caused by the rear discs being warped. I never fully understood that logic since the front brakes were probably doing more of the braking than before. I haven't gotten the rear pads put in and rotors turned, so I don't know if that would cure it. So the questions is: Could the ball joints be the cause and just became noticeable with the stronger front brakes ??

3) My Haynes manual says that I can't do just the ball joints, but the lower control arms. I'm not equipped to work outside in winter, so what might be a fair price to have this done ??

Thanks in advance for the advice. If you need more detailed explanation, please let me know.

 

[Lifted95X]

I can answer #3. The lower ball joints are the cheaper of the two because you can just replace the ball joints. In the uppers, they come as one piece in the arms and they are more expensive.

I like the screename by the way, I dig the rat terrier breed, got one myself.

 

[jsaid]

ball joints

I changed the both lower ball joint in my 1998 . I paid 35 or 38 dollars each. This is very easy to do . I get the ball joint press from Autozone free.

 

[jsaid]

ball joints

The reason was that the ball joints were moving up and down , like yours.