C5 2003 Ball Joints Check
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Years ago.....I mean MANY years ago the norm was to jack the side up of the front end in question, grab the top and bottom of the tire and rock it back and forth to feel for any excessive movement.
It's worth a try.
On the flip side: I rebuilt my front and rear suspension a few years ago and had no idea my ball joints were bad until i had things apart.
It's worth a try.
On the flip side: I rebuilt my front and rear suspension a few years ago and had no idea my ball joints were bad until i had things apart.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 256
Likes: 3
From: West Texas
Jack up the front and/or rear end. Get enough ground clearance where a big pry bar can slide under the tire. Pry up against the tire from the ground and check for any type of movement up and down. Now place one hand at the top of the tire and one hand at the bottom. Push in and pull out with each arm to check side to side movement.
If you have a ball joint moving but can't tell which one get a friend to look while you do this. If you can only feel the movement and not see it, put a hand on the knuckle and the ball joint and try and feel which one is moving.
If you have a ball joint moving but can't tell which one get a friend to look while you do this. If you can only feel the movement and not see it, put a hand on the knuckle and the ball joint and try and feel which one is moving.
