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Old 06-16-2010, 08:38 AM
imabeliever1 imabeliever1 is offline
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Default How to check bushings and ball joints???

Did the search and still have questions. What is a good way to check ball joints and control arm bushings. Ranger 2WD with coils. 130,000 miles. Front end creaks and groans whenever I turn the wheel and over bumps.

With truck jacked up I cannot feel or see any movement in the ball joints no matter how much i attempt move them.

How do you check lower bushings???

Thanks for your time,
Robert
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Old 06-16-2010, 06:42 PM
1STranger 1STranger is offline
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Default Re: How to check bushings and ball joints???

There are a few things you need to do to thoroughly check your ball joints. First is the quick check. Have someone rock the steering wheel back and forth while the wheels are on the ground and look to see if there is any movement in the ball joints. If the lowers are really bad they will pop in and out, usually cant tell anything about the uppers this way. it also helps to have the engine running.

the next technique is to raise the front end and shake the tire in all directions. Usually you will only be able to identify a worn upper ball joint this way. Also take a pry bar and pry upwards on the bottom of the tire.

the last technique is called "unloading" the lower ball joint. The weight of the vehicle and the pressure of the spring hold the lower ball joint compressed and may limit the movement enough to hide a bad ball joint. Use a jack stand or another jack and lift up on the lower control arm. When all the weight is put on the lower control arm the lower ball joint is then "unloaded" Repeat the tire shaking and pry bar techniques.

Control arm bushing are checked by simply prying in between the bushing and the control arm and/or the frame.

Ball joints will cause more of a popping noise. My guess is that your control arms are making the noise. Or possibly the sway bar links.
My suggestion would be to Spray them down with white lithium until the noise goes away. then you know the culprit.
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Old 12-25-2011, 10:35 PM
PhdNPrerunners PhdNPrerunners is offline
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Default Re: How to check bushings and ball joints???

Sorry to bump an old thread but can a ball joint be bad even though the front end isnt making any kind of noise? Sorry I worry a lot lol
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Old 12-25-2011, 10:40 PM
Jimmeh Jimmeh is offline
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Default Re: How to check bushings and ball joints???

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhdNPrerunners View Post
Sorry to bump an old thread but can a ball joint be bad even though the front end isnt making any kind of noise? Sorry I worry a lot lol
Yup. Just replaced one with no noise coming from the front end.
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Old 12-25-2011, 10:44 PM
pooleo pooleo is offline
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Default Re: How to check bushings and ball joints???

yes they can be bad. I had ones that the tire did not move at all (while jacked up and checking) Turns out it was seized right up!
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