How to check Ball Joints?

[0]

I've noticed a clunk in the front end when I begin to roll forward or backward. Someone said it might be a bad ball joint. Is there a way to diagnose a ball joint? I have access to a jack. Thanks.

 

[halik]

Your car comes with a jack...

Jack it up and wiggle the wheel. If there's a play/clunk, replace.

 

[Elstupido]

What kind of vehicle? Yesterday I had my BMW in the shop for numerous ball joint replacements, and the outcome was excellent.

 

[exdeath]

You're looking for lateral and longitudinal play between the steering knuckle (eg: bottom of the wheel) and the control arm; a properly functioning ball joint is purely rotational in it's range of movement and should not allow any linear translation.

Could also be control arm and upper strut mount bushings.

 

[0]

Originally posted by: exdeath
You're looking for lateral and longitudinal play between the steering knuckle (eg: bottom of the wheel) and the control arm; a properly functioning ball joint is purely rotational in it's range of movement and should not allow any linear translation.

Could also be control arm and upper strut mount bushings.

So grab the wheel bottom and top and see if it wiggles at all?

 

[Elstupido]

Again what vehicle do you have? Makes a world of difference when trying to diagnose, like saying "my car gets bad gas mileage"

 

[0]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
Again what vehicle do you have? Makes a world of difference when trying to diagnose, like saying "my car gets bad gas mileage"

sorry, its a Buick LeSabre 1995.

 

[Bignate603]

With a vehicle that age it could very easily be the ball joints.

 

[BW86]

jack it up and see if there is excessive play in the up and down motion - I'm pretty sure thats the ball joint. And side to side would be the tie rods - right?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: BW86
jack it up and see if there is excessive play in the up and down motion - I'm pretty sure thats the ball joint. And side to side would be the tie rods - right?

You got it.

This is a basic way to check play.

More into it would be getting a pry bar and placing near specific joints and seeing which ones move.