Upper Ball Joints Symptoms

[98ExplorerGuy]

In a 1998 Explorer XLT, what would be the typical symptoms when driving, if any, of badly worn upper ball joints?

 

[Turdle]

You might get none, or the following-
Wobble in steering, cupped (uneven) tire wear, vibration at speed, wandering steering, Bump steer (car seems to swerve when you hit bumps)

You might notice a severe camber issue wheels looking like this /---\ when viewed from front.

You really need to jack the front of the vehicle up to check them
once securely jacked up--grab each wheel at the 12 and 6 oclock position and try to rock it. If you can--somethings loose-
now, same with the 3 and 9 oclock position try to wiggle wheel.If it moves-something is worn. If you watch while a helper wiggles-you will find the area of wear--

If they are originals-I would not take them for granted.

 

[skoal_mint]

Do as smith said, but also jack up the one side under the control arm and use a long bar and put it under the tire, then pull up and leave go, keep doing that while another person looks at each ball joint...sometime a person cannot move the tire enough to feel or see any movement.