Ball Joints or Weak Coils

[Dieselpwrdredneck]

How do i check for bad ball joints?
I am starting to get some tire lean, could it just be the coil springs are getting weak and not supporting the front end enough or are the balll joints goin south?

Thanks
Neal

 

[hheynow]

Best done with a helper. Jack up one tire and use a jack stand. Have helper grab bottom of tire and move it in and out. While this is done, observe the lower spindle arm and the lower part of the axle jaw. If movement is greater than 1/32" the lower ball joint needs to be replaced. Then have helper grab top of tire and move it in and out. If movement is greater than 1/32" upper ball joint needs to be replaced. Lower jack and lift other tire to check other side. Make sure that your replaced ball joints have zirks on lower and uppers.

 

[BJS]

hheynow is right on testing the balljoints.

Until you test them it could be either. with 170k I'd say the joints are bad unless you've replaced them before. oh and 1/32" is not very big.

 

[powerboatr]

Best done with a helper. Jack up one tire and use a jack stand. Have helper grab bottom of tire and move it in and out. While this is done, observe the lower spindle arm and the lower part of the axle jaw. If movement is greater than 1/32" the lower ball joint needs to be replaced. Then have helper grab top of tire and move it in and out. If movement is greater than 1/32" upper ball joint needs to be replaced. Lower jack and lift other tire to check other side. Make sure that your replaced ball joints have zirks on lower and uppers.

DITTO
i just couldn ttype that fast.

stil cant

 

[happeetxn]

I replaced mine in December and it didn't break the bank. Upper and lower on both sides. It took about four hours with a buddy who knew what he was doing. I don't know if that is quick or slow but we were in no rush, and we were closely examining the bottoms of brown bottles.
Craig