jlutherva

I've got a slight amount of play in the left front wheel (6 & 12:00). That's a ball joint right? How much is too much? This is just perceptible but was not there last season and the right front has no play. Also, how do you tell if it's an upper or lower ball joint? Are both replaced at the same time?

Jim

Falcon

Probably just a hub/bearing. Relatively easy to replace.

Ball joints aren't known to go bad often, and are a bear to replace.

jlutherva

If it were a hub bearing, wouldn't it have 3-9:00 and 6-12:00 play?
Jim

RX-Ben

Have someone wiggle the wheel and feel the ball joints for movements. You will feel the slop if they are bad. I had a bad upper when I had 6-12 movement.

Falcon

3-9 could indicate bad tie rod end, too.

Bearings can be 6-12 and 3-9.

froggy47

John Shiels

First make sure everything is properly torqued and tight. I had a tie rod end loosen up once when I first started tracking and under warranty.

froggy47

I have found that there is no substitute for getting the car up on ramps or a lift and moving stuff around while wrapping your hand around the various rod ends, ball joints, nuts. Get dirty & get answers.

JDIllon

It is usually the lowers that go bad. I just replaced all my lowers because 2 of mine had boots that were torn. Jim, give me a call if you decide to replace them. JD

jlutherva

That's on the agenda for today. I need to power wash the undercarriage and swap tires.

Jim