Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
as are the rear shocks.
Could it be bad ball joints ?
when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
as are the rear shocks.
Could it be bad ball joints ?
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Big E. Ratt wrote:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
> when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
> as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
is it psychic wednesday?
whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they
may not have fastened a bolt properly.
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
> when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
> as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
is it psychic wednesday?
whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they
may not have fastened a bolt properly.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Big E. Ratt wrote:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
> when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
> as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
is it psychic wednesday?
whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they
may not have fastened a bolt properly.
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No problems
> when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new Tokico blues,
> as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
is it psychic wednesday?
whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they
may not have fastened a bolt properly.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
>
You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
lower control arm bushing.
01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
coils contacting each other.
I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
>
You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
lower control arm bushing.
01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
coils contacting each other.
I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
>
You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
lower control arm bushing.
01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
coils contacting each other.
I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
>
You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
lower control arm bushing.
01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
coils contacting each other.
I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
--
Tegger
The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Tegger wrote:
> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>
>>
>
>
> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>
> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
> lower control arm bushing.
>
> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
> coils contacting each other.
>
> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
> do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>
all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
replacing macpherson struts!
> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>
>>
>
>
> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>
> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
> lower control arm bushing.
>
> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
> coils contacting each other.
>
> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
> do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>
all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
replacing macpherson struts!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Tegger wrote:
> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>
>>
>
>
> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>
> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
> lower control arm bushing.
>
> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
> coils contacting each other.
>
> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
> do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>
all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
replacing macpherson struts!
> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>
>>
>
>
> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>
> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
> lower control arm bushing.
>
> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
> coils contacting each other.
>
> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If you
> do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>
all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
replacing macpherson struts!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:dJCdna0J2upMfmjbnZ2dnUVZ_obinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Big E. Ratt wrote:
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
>> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
>> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
>> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
>> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
> is it psychic wednesday?
>
> whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
> did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they may
> not have fastened a bolt properly.
Thanks.
I didn't go into all the details...noises were present before and after
shock/spring replacement : old Koni shocks and Eibach springs were replaced
with Tokico shocks and OEM springs. Yes, I wanted to restore original ride
height.
If it were rear wheel drive, I'd guess a U-joint was going bad.
I'll take it in to Honda for a complete checkout. The car has 235K miles on
it, so it might be time...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:dJCdna0J2upMfmjbnZ2dnUVZ_obinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Big E. Ratt wrote:
>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
>> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
>> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
>> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
>> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>
> is it psychic wednesday?
>
> whoever fitted the new shocks should have checked all that stuff as they
> did the work. if not, they need to check it now. especially as they may
> not have fastened a bolt properly.
Thanks.
I didn't go into all the details...noises were present before and after
shock/spring replacement : old Koni shocks and Eibach springs were replaced
with Tokico shocks and OEM springs. Yes, I wanted to restore original ride
height.
If it were rear wheel drive, I'd guess a U-joint was going bad.
I'll take it in to Honda for a complete checkout. The car has 235K miles on
it, so it might be time...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:GpudnY2RVcjI5mvbnZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Tegger wrote:
>> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
>> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>>
>>
>>
>> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>>
>> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
>> lower control arm bushing.
>>
>> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
>> coils contacting each other.
>>
>> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If
>> you do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>>
> all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
> replacing macpherson struts!
I had the replacement done at an aftermarket shop, not at Honda. I doubt if
these after-market shops even know what a TSB is.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:GpudnY2RVcjI5mvbnZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Tegger wrote:
>> "Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
>> news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:
>>> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>>> usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>>> tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>>> and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>>> Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>>> Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>>
>>
>>
>> You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>>
>> 03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
>> lower control arm bushing.
>>
>> 01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
>> coils contacting each other.
>>
>> I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If
>> you do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>>
> all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
> replacing macpherson struts!
I had the replacement done at an aftermarket shop, not at Honda. I doubt if
these after-market shops even know what a TSB is.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Big E. Ratt wrote:
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:GpudnY2RVcjI5mvbnZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>
>>Tegger wrote:
>>
>>>"Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
>>>news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com :
>>>
>>>>I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>>>>usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>>>>tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>>>>and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>>>>Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>>>>Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>>>
>>>03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
>>>lower control arm bushing.
>>>
>>>01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
>>>coils contacting each other.
>>>
>>>I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If
>>>you do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>>>
>>
>>all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
>>replacing macpherson struts!
>
>
> I had the replacement done at an aftermarket shop, not at Honda. I doubt if
> these after-market shops even know what a TSB is.
>
I would think that they should. Hell, Studebaker issued TSB(s)
throughout its time in business which ended over thirty years ago.
As far as I know, all car manufacturers issue such documents and the
most serious issues result in recalls.
JT
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
Big E. Ratt wrote:
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:GpudnY2RVcjI5mvbnZ2dnUVZ_hjinZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>
>>Tegger wrote:
>>
>>>"Big E. Ratt" <Big_E@ratt-land.com> wrote in
>>>news:46f5cf33$0$19577$4c368faf@roadrunner.com :
>>>
>>>>I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension,
>>>>usually when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front
>>>>tires hit an obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up
>>>>and down. No problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate.
>>>>Struts are new Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
>>>>Could it be bad ball joints ?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>You have at least two TSBs out on front suspension noise.
>>>
>>>03-039 covers a knock, pop or squeak that is due to a deteriorated front
>>>lower control arm bushing.
>>>
>>>01-054 deals with a knock, pop or crunch resulting from the front spring
>>>coils contacting each other.
>>>
>>>I can't remember if you've got balljoint-type stabilizer bar links. If
>>>you do, that's another source of knocking noise as the ***** wear out.
>>>
>>
>>all of which should have been checked when doing a major rebuild like
>>replacing macpherson struts!
>
>
> I had the replacement done at an aftermarket shop, not at Honda. I doubt if
> these after-market shops even know what a TSB is.
>
I would think that they should. Hell, Studebaker issued TSB(s)
throughout its time in business which ended over thirty years ago.
As far as I know, all car manufacturers issue such documents and the
most serious issues result in recalls.
JT
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"Big E. Ratt" wrote:
>
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
To check the ball joints...
Jack up the car and set it down on a pair of jack stands. Unlock the
steering wheel. Grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Try to
rock it back and forth. If you feel movement it could be either the ball
joints or wheel bearing. Have someone else repeat the rocking described
above while you get under the car and look at the suspension with a
flashlight. If the movement is coming from the ball joints you should be
able to see this. If not, then look at the back side of the hub area where
the CV joint connects to the hub. If you see movement here, then the wheel
bearing is bad. Note that sometimes grabbing the tire at the 5 and 9
o'clock positions works better for detecting looseness in the lower ball
joint. You can also check the tie rods for looseness by grabbing the tire
at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If you feel any looseness here when you
rock the tire back and forth, you can isolate it to the tie rods by feeling
movement in the joint through the tie rod boots. The ball joint in the tie
rod ends can be checked by squeezing them with a large pair of channel lock
pliers in the vertical axis. Sometimes, this also works well for double
checking any suspected looseness in the upper ball joints.
Eric
>
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
To check the ball joints...
Jack up the car and set it down on a pair of jack stands. Unlock the
steering wheel. Grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Try to
rock it back and forth. If you feel movement it could be either the ball
joints or wheel bearing. Have someone else repeat the rocking described
above while you get under the car and look at the suspension with a
flashlight. If the movement is coming from the ball joints you should be
able to see this. If not, then look at the back side of the hub area where
the CV joint connects to the hub. If you see movement here, then the wheel
bearing is bad. Note that sometimes grabbing the tire at the 5 and 9
o'clock positions works better for detecting looseness in the lower ball
joint. You can also check the tie rods for looseness by grabbing the tire
at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If you feel any looseness here when you
rock the tire back and forth, you can isolate it to the tie rods by feeling
movement in the joint through the tie rod boots. The ball joint in the tie
rod ends can be checked by squeezing them with a large pair of channel lock
pliers in the vertical axis. Sometimes, this also works well for double
checking any suspected looseness in the upper ball joints.
Eric
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Ball Joints: How to Tell if they are bad ?
"Big E. Ratt" wrote:
>
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
To check the ball joints...
Jack up the car and set it down on a pair of jack stands. Unlock the
steering wheel. Grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Try to
rock it back and forth. If you feel movement it could be either the ball
joints or wheel bearing. Have someone else repeat the rocking described
above while you get under the car and look at the suspension with a
flashlight. If the movement is coming from the ball joints you should be
able to see this. If not, then look at the back side of the hub area where
the CV joint connects to the hub. If you see movement here, then the wheel
bearing is bad. Note that sometimes grabbing the tire at the 5 and 9
o'clock positions works better for detecting looseness in the lower ball
joint. You can also check the tie rods for looseness by grabbing the tire
at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If you feel any looseness here when you
rock the tire back and forth, you can isolate it to the tie rods by feeling
movement in the joint through the tie rod boots. The ball joint in the tie
rod ends can be checked by squeezing them with a large pair of channel lock
pliers in the vertical axis. Sometimes, this also works well for double
checking any suspected looseness in the upper ball joints.
Eric
>
> I'm getting some 'thunks' from my 2001 Civic EX front suspension, usually
> when shifting between 1-2 and 2-3 , and also when the front tires hit an
> obstacle that causes a front-to-back impact vs. and up and down. No
> problems when driving daily at speed on the interstate. Struts are new
> Tokico blues, as are the rear shocks.
> Could it be bad ball joints ?
To check the ball joints...
Jack up the car and set it down on a pair of jack stands. Unlock the
steering wheel. Grab the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. Try to
rock it back and forth. If you feel movement it could be either the ball
joints or wheel bearing. Have someone else repeat the rocking described
above while you get under the car and look at the suspension with a
flashlight. If the movement is coming from the ball joints you should be
able to see this. If not, then look at the back side of the hub area where
the CV joint connects to the hub. If you see movement here, then the wheel
bearing is bad. Note that sometimes grabbing the tire at the 5 and 9
o'clock positions works better for detecting looseness in the lower ball
joint. You can also check the tie rods for looseness by grabbing the tire
at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. If you feel any looseness here when you
rock the tire back and forth, you can isolate it to the tie rods by feeling
movement in the joint through the tie rod boots. The ball joint in the tie
rod ends can be checked by squeezing them with a large pair of channel lock
pliers in the vertical axis. Sometimes, this also works well for double
checking any suspected looseness in the upper ball joints.
Eric
