Lower Ball Joint

Raise and support vehicle. Allow suspension to hang freely. Inspect ball joint seals for cracks or tears. Replace ball joint if seal is damaged. Grasp tire at top and bottom. Note horizontal movement while moving tire inward and outward. Replace ball joint if any horizontal movement exists.

Ball stud tightness in knuckle boss should be checked by shaking wheel and looking for looseness at stud end or castellated nut. When ball joint is disconnected from steering knuckle, check ball joint free play. If stud spins in socket with finger pressure, replace ball joint.