checking ball joints ect

[burt ragio]

What is the best way to check upper & lower ball joints & tie rod ends for wear ? Does it make a difference if the front end is weighted or not ?

[CKMustangCobra]

Lift the front, grab the wheel.... yank it like a mad man and listen for noises. LOL

[justbob]

Set your jack right under the lower control arm and lift. Once up grab the top and bottom of the wheel and try to move in/out.

For the tie rod ends, jack the car up evenly and set stands. Try and push both tires away from each and then pull them together looking for play.

[Got_1]

tie rods - set hands at 9:00 and 3:00 and attempt to wiggle wheel side to side.
ball joints - hands at 12:00 and 6:00 and wiggle wheel up and down

note: wheels must be off the ground.

[sd8683]

tie rods - set hands at 9:00 and 3:00 and attempt to wiggle wheel side to side.
ball joints - hands at 12:00 and 6:00 and wiggle wheel up and down

note: wheels must be off the ground.

Hahaha........ It would be hard to check those ball joints if they weren't! That 6:00 would be pretty tough to do:rofl:

[Chas1955]

It really takes two people. While the vehicle is supported under the lower control arm to unload the sprung weight from the ball joints have someone rock the tire and wheel at 6 and 12 to check for ball joint side play and 3 and 9 for steering linkage side play. Make sure one side remains on the pavement to anchor the steering linkage. Also use a long pry bar under the tire and wheel assembly to pry up on the ball joints while watching between the socket and the spindle assembly to check vertical play in the joint. Some play in the ball joints is acceptable. Specifications should be listed in the shop manual.

[TAKEDOWN]

GRABBING, YANKING, WIGGLING, PUSHING, PULLING, LIFTING, 2 PEOPLE, VERTICAL PLAY, IN-OUT, SIDE TO SIDE, UP & DOWN... LOL! What are we talking about here?