upper ball joints or radius arm bushings?

[93SPORTIOWA]

ok what are the symtoms of a bad upper ball joint noise visual inspection what to look and feel for. i have some noise in the front end when i hit bumps and kinda dives a little if i brake hard?
my other question is how do you tell if it is the radius arm bushing that are bad?
ive been told this could also be shocks
please help!

 

[mrboyle]

To test the ball joints lift the tire off the groung aprox. an inch or two. With someone's help take a pry bay, place it under the tire and lift up on the bar (don't try to lift the car, just apply a firm amount of pressure). Watch for movement at the ball joint. If the spindle moves and the axle doesn't you have a bad ball joint. To check for a worn radius arm bushing, first look at the position of the arm in relation to the hole in the crossmember. If the shank on the arm is not centered in the hole the bushing is gone. If the bushing appears to still be centered havs your helper get in and start your Explorer. Lay down under your Explorer (looking at the Radius arm bushing) and have your helper (with the e-brake firmlly applied) run between reverse and drive. Watch for fore and aft movement of the arm, while listening to the bushings to see if they are squeeking. If one is bad you will see it.