Checking Ball Joint

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Porsche Cayenne, 2009 Porsche Cayenne, and 2008 Porsche Cayenne. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Check the lower axle joint at the pivot bearing.
Information

Conditions for checking the lower axle joint

The vehicle must be raised in order to check the axle joint of the lower wishbone.

Insert a mounting lever into the pivot bearing housing -up arrow- and lever the ball joint of the axle joint -2- downwards, see -side arrow-.

There must be no play on the joint.

Fig 1: Checking Lower Axle Joint
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Check the upper axle joint at the pivot bearing.
Information

Conditions for checking the upper axle joint

Raise the vehicle until there is no weight on the wheels so that only the wheels' own weight is on the ground.

Hold the top of the wheel and apply pressure to the pivot bearing -1- on alternate sides in the directions shown -arrows- .

There must be no play on the joint.

Fig 2: Locating Pivot Bearing Alternate Sides
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Check the tie rod joint.
CAUTION:
Turning steering too sharply using the steering wheel.
- Risk of squashing arms.
→ Only turn the steering wheel as far to the left and right as required in order to check the amount of play on the tie rod.

Information

Conditions for checking the tie rod joint

The vehicle must be standing on its wheels in order to check the tie rod joint; vehicles with air suspension must be adjusted to maximum ground clearance.

Fig 3: Checking Tie Rod Joint
Courtesy of PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. 3.1. Check that the dust boots, bellows and joints are working perfectly and have no leaks.
2. 3.2. Check the left tie rod joint.
  Turn the wheels to the right and take hold of the tie rod joint -1- . Get a second worker to turn the steering by moving the steering wheel back and forth slightly.
  
  There must be no play on the joint.
  
  If you detect a certain amount of play that is not caused by the tie rod joint, the axial joint between the steering gear and tie rod must be worn.
3. 3.3. Check the right tie rod joint.
  Turn the wheels to the left and take hold of the tie rod joint -1- . Get a second worker to turn the steering by moving the steering wheel back and forth slightly.
  
  There must be no play on the joint.
  
  If you detect a certain amount of play that is not caused by the tie rod joint, the axial joint between the steering gear and tie rod must be worn.