What's the best way to confirm a bad ball joint?
#1
09-17-2010, 09:48 AM
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#2
09-18-2010, 08:28 PM
I can tell you how we used to do it..
Car up on hoist (suspension unloaded), take a big slip-joint (aka water pump) pliers and try to compress the ball joint itself; should see virtually no movement (up and down).
This assumes the boot's not torn too, obviously.
BTW: typically ball joints don't pop; they clunk, when worn. Usually they don't make any noise at all, unless the boot's torn and the joint starts to seize up from rust.
If it is popping/clicking, I would suspect a CV joint and/or sway bar links as more likely failure point. You can temporarily remove your sway bar links to help isolate it..
Car up on hoist (suspension unloaded), take a big slip-joint (aka water pump) pliers and try to compress the ball joint itself; should see virtually no movement (up and down).
This assumes the boot's not torn too, obviously.
BTW: typically ball joints don't pop; they clunk, when worn. Usually they don't make any noise at all, unless the boot's torn and the joint starts to seize up from rust.
If it is popping/clicking, I would suspect a CV joint and/or sway bar links as more likely failure point. You can temporarily remove your sway bar links to help isolate it..
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