What is the correct method of checking Ball Joints. Want to make sure that is the problem.

I hear some clunking sounds when I drive over some rough road sections. The axles are OK I grabbed them and them seem real tight.

By the way it is a 2001 4x4 SC.

 

lift the front and support the weight of the vehicle under the control arm (not on the frame) and pry up on the underside of the tire with a pry bar, and you are allowed a certain amount of travel length in the ball joint. It helps to have someone either pry for you, or watch the ball joint.

But there are alot of alignment shops that will do a free pre alignment inspection for you. B,c they hope that you will buy parts/labor/alignment from them.

and make sure you align after the new ball joints
-Patrick

 

I seem to have the same problem, I replaced both upper and lower ball joints, (they were very worn) and replaced the shocks. I thought for sure it was the blown shock that was causing the clunking, NOPE, new shocks and still clunking. How do you check the axle?

Any other ideas, could it be the tie rods?

Thanks!!

 

yes tie rods, and the CV axle could be worn, and those are a bitch to replace, i vote tie rods, alignment and then see where youre at.
-Patrick

 

My way of checking ball joints, jack the truck up off the ground enough to grab obove and below the tire and pull the bottom out, then the top, push and pull. If you feel a clicking or clunking it's probably shot. The tie rods: the outer, push up and pull down, the inner, same just front to back. No clicking or movement should be felt, they should twist but no internal stuff. Any doubts, take it to a mechanic, these are problem areas that require alot of babysitting or else.....................boom