How do I test ball joints, and if they're bad, how bad are they?

Shran and 91ranger. Calm down guys. No need to get heated over the internet. Both of you take a breather before this gets out of hand. Thank you.

To the op. A loose caliper shouldn’t make the wheel move around. That will make more of a knocking sounding when applying the brakes. Find yourself a good, old school mom and pop mechanic shop. And go in and explain you’ve noticed some play in the wheel. And want them to check it out.

Take it to your local frame and axle and get a free safety check. By law they have to tell you what it needs. I put the parts in and take it there for a good alignment as a courtesy. They are normally more expensive but well worth the dime.

it's whatever to me now. I just get pissed when someone tells me what to do or not to do in this matter. Without pictures showing the condition of the parts in question or a video showing the play, no one has the right to tell someone what to do with their car. After I just replaced tie rods the other day I do think 5 mm is a fair amount of play once I watched my own vehicle tire move and feel it. Money is a big factor to most people. Labor is another factor. The OP doesn't seem like he could replace his own parts plus anytime you replace a steering part you should get an alignment which is more money. So when someone says "oh that part is only $20, buy it an put it on" its normally way more than just $20. but I'm over it now. it is what it is.

askthemasses said:

Took it to a shop and got second opinion and they said it was actually a lousy caliper on that wheel that was allowing for the slight play. One of the ujoint boots is torn, but otherwise everything else looked fine.

But I'm going to do the wheel bearings while I'm in there anyway.

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Well that's all very interesting since it is complete and utter bullshit. Brake calipers don't allow or disallow wheel play, that is all tie rod, ball joint, or wheel bearing, and U-joints (true U joints, not a CV joint) don't have boots.

^^^ agreed.
I have a loose caliper on my Grumman. It makes banging noises going over bumps. It does NOT AFFECT MY STEERING.

adsm08 said:

Well that's all very interesting since it is complete and utter bullshit. Brake calipers don't allow or disallow wheel play, that is all tie rod, ball joint, or wheel bearing, and U-joints (true U joints, not a CV joint) don't have boots.

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great...

You are learning much on this forum grasshopper. Keep with the questions.

This post needs pictures and more information on the vehicle. Sounds like someone's giving him a run around and hoping they drop cash at their shop.

blackwidow67 said:

Shran Calm down

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I'm as calm and collected as I was when I wrote both posts in this thread. No need to worry about me getting heated, I do know when to quit, but I also will call things as I see them and made myself clear here.

91stranger said:

it's whatever to me now. I just get pissed when someone tells me what to do or not to do in this matter. Without pictures showing the condition of the parts in question or a video showing the play, no one has the right to tell someone what to do with their car. After I just replaced tie rods the other day I do think 5 mm is a fair amount of play once I watched my own vehicle tire move and feel it. Money is a big factor to most people. Labor is another factor. The OP doesn't seem like he could replace his own parts plus anytime you replace a steering part you should get an alignment which is more money. So when someone says "oh that part is only $20, buy it an put it on" its normally way more than just $20. but I'm over it now. it is what it is.

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There is no reason to get pissed. I could be making other snide comments about what you've said but I'm not - just keep an open mind to the possibility that you might be wrong. It is part of the learning process and I've been wrong a few dozen times over the years too, however I am speaking from experience owning, driving, wrenching on and modifying at least 30 of these trucks over 15 years.

I do not feel that you need an alignment after replacing ball joints because you are simply returning the front end to its pre-worn condition UNLESS you move the camber bushings. TREs, springs, absolutely, align away.

I did in fact verify that those ball joints were less than $20, by the way.

I understand shran. Just didn’t wanna see the post getting out of hand. Nothing personal my friend

askthemasses said:

Got new tires today and they let me rock the wheels while it was jacked up. Passenger wheel didn't budge, driver wheel had very slight left-right play. Like, a fraction of a centimeter, but it still moved. I'm assuming something needs to be replaced- ball joints? How do I tell how bad it is? Like, do it tomorrow and not drive on it until then? Do it within the month and drive carefully?

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I found my sons ball joints wore out during steering rack change out. Made a video as well.

https://youtu.be/xHQMzA-1jQE



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