Ball joint insp
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More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 6
From: Jamestown Tn
Ball joint insp
Can sombody tell me how to figure out if i need to replace my ball joints? I bought my truck from a dealer with 89k on it in 2005. I now have 200k. I have had a issue with the front inside tires getting choppy for about the last year. I have been able to keep the tires somewhat smooth by a lot of rotating. I was wondering if bad ball joints would cause this. It does pull a little to the left. Also the ones on my truck are the greaseable ones. So they were replaces before I owned it already. Whats the lifespan of a set of ball joints anyways. thanks Jeff
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 16
If u jack the truck up and get the front tires off the ground. Put a long bar under the tire and ease it up and see if there is any movement. Then, also, grab the top of the tire and push/ pull it to/from the middle of the truck. Probably wil require a helper to watch it as u d o it
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 272
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From: Joliet Il
When you jack up the one side, say driver side, at the axle (jack under spring perch area) look at the lower ball joint while your jacking,when you take the weight off the ball joint as the axle raises and the tire is still on the ground you will see the space between the ball joint get larger if there is play in the lower ball joint.
How much movement is to much? Not sure. Any movement between is a sign of wear.
The lower ball joints usally wears out faster then the top, due to being subjected to the road shock.
How much movement is to much? Not sure. Any movement between is a sign of wear.
The lower ball joints usally wears out faster then the top, due to being subjected to the road shock.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 5
ball joints and tierods have a preload from a stiff spring inside so when you push joint up and down and find slack, that joints worn beyond service the spring has lost all its preload due to wear, that movement would be straight up and down the joint pivoting on its axis would be normal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,360
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From: Charles Town, WV
Just had my annual inspection and watched the guy use the long bar under my tire. He said, "Bad balljoint", I hopped outta the truck to see it was the lower balljoint. Definitely was moving, you could see the whole tire moving from the outside.
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