Looking for opinions and/or actual experience with ball joint noise:

Got a POP noise when I hit the brakes. I have to apply some pressure for it to make the sound. Does it once when going forward. Doesn't do it again until I drive a few minutes, then it does it again.

If I go back and forth between reverse and drive, it does it every time as I hit the brakes, but only once until reversing direction again.

Takes some moderate pedal pressure to make the noise.

If I turn the steering wheel to either side, it doesn't make the noise.

I've gone over the brakes, nothing there is wrong, and besides it wouldn't go away when I turn the wheel.

Nothing is loose in terms of tie-rod ends, wheel bearings, nothing.

It's not bad enough yet to be able to see movement in the ball joints when the wheels are off the ground.

IS THIS THE BALL JOINTS?

(I know, as a DIY shadetree mechanic, I really DO know that it's the ball joints. Just looking for some experiences from other members to make absolutely sure it's most likely the problem and not some other dumb thing)