Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - UPPER BALL JOINT

1. Raise vehicle on a drive-on hoist.

NOTE: If a drive-on hoist is not available, use wooden blocks with jack stands to support the lower control arm in the ball joint area. Place the jack stands appropriately and lower the hoist placing weight on the lower control arm. The lower control arms should now be supporting the vehicle weight.

2. Using a jack, lift the front end off the hoist and position a wooden block underneath lower control arm supporting that corner of the vehicles weight.
3. Remove tire and wheel assembly. Tires And Wheels - Removal
4. Attach a dial indicator to body of upper control arm, then align dial indicator's contact pointer with direction of stud axis and touch machined flat on end of knuckle near ball joint. Zero dial indicator.

NOTE: Use care when applying the load to the knuckle so as to not damage components of suspension.

5. Insert a pry bar and rest it against bottom of upper control arm and use lever principle to push arm upward until dial indicator no longer moves.
6. Record any ball joint movement. If movement in the control arm exceeds 1.5 mm (.059 in.), the ball joint is faulty.
7. If the ball joint needs replaced, the entire upper control arm needs to be replaced. Front Upper Control Arm - Removal