ball joint test?

[Tiff]

Anybody have a good test to use on front ball joints to know when to replace before an actual failure? How many miles should be expected on the stock ball joints?

[Ghost00TJ]

Dont think there is any real mileage replacement like a serpentine belt says ~60,000 miles replace etc.

Here is a write up on some http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repairqa/steering_suspension/ques109_1.html

I just jack the tire up and pry uo and down with a jack handle feel for play and watch the joint to see if it moves at all.

[usnavymitchells]

Not sure of the specifics but you might be able to find it on line. In Mass. ball joints were inspected by raising your vehicle of the ground and using a tire iron between the tire and the ground. If you had more than 2" of movement you failed inspection because of ball joints. I would check inspection station testing criteria or better yet shoot Rob (crazy4ink) at Mountain Valley Customs (MJ Sponsor) a PM and ask him.

[supr_fly03]

The tire should not move at all if you are prying up on the bottom of the tire. Make sure the weight of the vehicle is being supported with a jack stand or jack on the axle housing.

[E5EDDIE]

Yup, that's what I know too, to check ball joints jack up the vehicle on needed side and grasp top and bottom of the tire in question, try to wiggle top and bottom back and forth, I was told anything over 1/4" movement is bad juju for the joint...?

[radjeep]

Everyone covered it. Jack it up but make sure the jack is on the axle and not the links or on the frame so the suspension is hanging. Check vertically movement for play and then horizontally for play. Pretty simple, I do while doing my oil change and its up on the lift.

Dont forget to keep the greased joints greased