Ball joint question
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 182
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From: Canada
One way to tell, although it may not be the best way, is to set the truck up on a lift, axle stands, whatever you've got, and pull/wiggle one tire. There is supposed to be a little bit of play but not much. If it feels excessive than you've probably got some worn ball joints. Hope this helps some!!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: New York
To check your ball joints do one wheel at a time, jack up the axle beam so that the wheel is off the ground about 2 inches. Wedge a pry bar or a piece of pipe under the tire and lift the pry bar up and down, have a buddy there to keep an eye out on the ball joints. If there's alot of play then the joints are shot.
If it's not your ball joints, check the radius arm bushings. Worn out bushings will cause the arm to shift when you're braking. Don't rule out a warped rotor as mentioned by Tidybowlman0. Let us know what you find. Good luck.
Warr
If it's not your ball joints, check the radius arm bushings. Worn out bushings will cause the arm to shift when you're braking. Don't rule out a warped rotor as mentioned by Tidybowlman0. Let us know what you find. Good luck.
Warr
Last edited by bronco5.8; Apr 12, 2004 at 12:19 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: NW Ohio
I'd go along with bronco5.8 on the radius arm bushing, particularly the passenger side one. On my 94 it was real close to the exhaust, and had a small tin cup heat shield over it. When the heat shield rusted and came loose the bushing melted (or so it looked like), and it started making a clunking noise that was especially noticeable when braking.
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