SSpeed Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I've been searching for most of the morning, here and on the web and I'm coming up blank... How can I definitively tell if the ball joint is bad in my control arm? I suspect that is part of my clunk... Stockers were $48 at my local stealership, I saw the parts stores have them for $21... usually I always go OEM, but does it matter for a ball joint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimsleeper Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 your best bet is paying attention to symptoms, and maybe a visual inspection. Some will say to check for radial/vertical play in the suspected wheel with it off the ground but I've found on a MacPherson setup like ours that usually doesn't work, unless maybe the joint is completely broken. You could also try lifting the front and putting a prybar between the top of the LCA and steering knuckle to check for play, but honestly if you suspect it and it's been on there for a while your time is probably better spent just replacing it. I personally wouldn't cheap out on a ball joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porterdog Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I've had good luck putting the front end in the air (on jackstands, naturally) and getting a helper to push in and out (hard) at the bottom of the tire while I look closely at where the ball joint connects the upright and LCA. A ball joint that's really played out will have obvious uncontrolled motion. Check rock auto dot com for parts; they'll usually have a variety of options at a variety of price points with a variety of warranties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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