What's the tell-tale sign of a bad ball joint?

Thumbie · August 30th, 2011, 10:48 PM

My front passenger side has been making some weird noises the last month or so, progressively getting slowly worse. Seems to make more noise when turning the wheel to the right. The sound is hard to describe. lower pitch, either rubber on metal or rubber on rubber. Kind of like a creak. sometimes sounds like a pop.

Opinions? Let me know if you need a better description

Tang Stang · August 31st, 2011, 09:44 AM

The tell-tale sign is when there is play in the joint. Jack the car up (place it safely on jackstands), put your hands on the tire top and bottom, and give it a wiggle to see if you have any movement in the joint. Another way to check while the car is up on jackstands is to place a bar under the tire and lift up. Watch for any play in the balljoint.

Thumbie · September 1st, 2011, 09:01 PM

there is a little wiggle, but barely. Like not even a millimeter. Almost as if i didnt quite tighten the lug nuts all the way

sharkbait · September 1st, 2011, 11:05 PM

Make sure your lug nuts are tight lol

Also shake it side to side. If the play is the same its a wheel bearing

Thumbie · September 1st, 2011, 11:14 PM

Its not really a groaning like I'd expect from a wheel bearing.

I was thinking of upgrading anyways, how reputable are these? 1994-04 Mustang Front Mild Steel Tubular Control with Spring Cups at LRS - Same Day Shipping!

Macunicorn · September 4th, 2011, 12:50 AM

I noticed with mine I had a bad ball joint when I went to full lock on steering it made a popping noise. I also could feel a bit of shaking in the wheel as well.
I just replaced the entire front arms also with new control arm bushings.

Thumbie · September 5th, 2011, 07:58 PM

Did that solve the problem?

Macunicorn · September 5th, 2011, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Thumbie

Did that solve the problem?

Ya for me it did yes. You can test it by jacking up the front and moving the tire side to side and forward and back too.

That could also be a tierod starting to go out. Or could be as simple as a bushing needing grease.

Thumbie · September 11th, 2011, 12:47 PM

The noise turned out to be the aftermarket air filter banging around.... i feel so dumb hahaha

Thumbie · September 13th, 2011, 10:04 PM

just secured the air filter but the noise is still there. Here are some vids of me jacking up the car slowly and it seems to be moving stifffly.

Tang Stang · September 13th, 2011, 11:09 PM

It's hard to tell what is making noise and where the noise(s) are coming from without being there in person. Did you try putting the car on jackstands, placing a bar under the tire, and lifting yet?

96gtstang&V6 · September 14th, 2011, 03:41 AM

Sir theres a nail in your tire.. 0:15

RedDevilGT · September 14th, 2011, 03:48 AM

Are you sure it's a nail lol? It looks like it's debris from white rock or concrete

MustGT98allday · September 15th, 2011, 09:14 PM

i would do like tang stang says and lift up on the tire with a bar while its jacked up. Also if you move the tire left to right while its jacked up and feel play or knocking it could be either of your tie rods. You should be able to tell from those two things. But if its all tight and no play than check your sway bar links too

mustang50lx · September 16th, 2011, 08:13 PM

Get a stethoscope from a parts store or Sears and listen to the ball joints, tie rods, etc. while someone steers the wheels back and forth. Creaking ball joints and tie rods are not uncommon on Fords. I just put a ball joint in my Crown Victoria for that reason. It had no play in it. Make sure you put the parking brake on, the car in park, and block the wheels while laying under the car. You don't want to get run over.

Thumbie · September 19th, 2011, 04:34 PM

I will have to try that when I get free time. Thanks for the advice guys, reps all around.

Ruffellbaker · September 21st, 2011, 02:52 PM

You have to unload the balljoint before you test for play. with the car on jackstands put a jack under the lower control arm and jack it up a little. You wont see play unless you do this because the ball joint would still be loaded.

1996 GT · September 23rd, 2011, 04:01 PM

Have you tried greasing them? I had the same issue, greased ball joints and tie rod ends and no more annoying sounds.

August 30th, 2011, 10:48 PM	#1
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	What's the tell-tale sign of a bad ball joint? My front passenger side has been making some weird noises the last month or so, progressively getting slowly worse. Seems to make more noise when turning the wheel to the right. The sound is hard to describe. lower pitch, either rubber on metal or rubber on rubber. Kind of like a creak. sometimes sounds like a pop. Opinions? Let me know if you need a better description __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

August 31st, 2011, 09:44 AM	#2
Tang Stang Hardcore Enthusiast 2004 Mustang GT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 1,961 iTrader: 2 reviews	The tell-tale sign is when there is play in the joint. Jack the car up (place it safely on jackstands), put your hands on the tire top and bottom, and give it a wiggle to see if you have any movement in the joint. Another way to check while the car is up on jackstands is to place a bar under the tire and lift up. Watch for any play in the balljoint. __________________ Rod @ AzzKicker Cars 2004 Ford Mustang GT-The Driver-BBK CAI, PP TB & Inlet, Steeda UD's, SLP LM1, & 3.73's. 1990 Mercury Cougar XR7-The Meth Addict-5.0L DOHC Stroker w/2.1L KB SC. 1995 Ford F150-Mud Toy-5.0L, 4x4, 33's, & Warn 8274 Winch

September 1st, 2011, 09:01 PM	#3
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	there is a little wiggle, but barely. Like not even a millimeter. Almost as if i didnt quite tighten the lug nuts all the way __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

September 1st, 2011, 11:05 PM	#4
sharkbait Hooo Ha Ha 1997 Mustang GT 11.65 @ 115 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pasadena MD Posts: 9,743 iTrader: 10 reviews	Make sure your lug nuts are tight lol Also shake it side to side. If the play is the same its a wheel bearing __________________ 410rwhp 520rwtq @ 12.9 psi

September 1st, 2011, 11:14 PM	#5
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	Its not really a groaning like I'd expect from a wheel bearing. I was thinking of upgrading anyways, how reputable are these? 1994-04 Mustang Front Mild Steel Tubular Control with Spring Cups at LRS - Same Day Shipping! __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

September 4th, 2011, 12:50 AM	#6
Macunicorn Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, Ca Posts: 1,221 iTrader: 0 reviews	I noticed with mine I had a bad ball joint when I went to full lock on steering it made a popping noise. I also could feel a bit of shaking in the wheel as well. I just replaced the entire front arms also with new control arm bushings. __________________ Sig by Tricep

September 5th, 2011, 07:58 PM	#7
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	Did that solve the problem? __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

September 11th, 2011, 12:47 PM	#9
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	The noise turned out to be the aftermarket air filter banging around.... i feel so dumb hahaha __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

September 13th, 2011, 10:04 PM	#10
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	just secured the air filter but the noise is still there. Here are some vids of me jacking up the car slowly and it seems to be moving stifffly. __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

September 13th, 2011, 11:09 PM	#11
Tang Stang Hardcore Enthusiast 2004 Mustang GT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 1,961 iTrader: 2 reviews	It's hard to tell what is making noise and where the noise(s) are coming from without being there in person. Did you try putting the car on jackstands, placing a bar under the tire, and lifting yet? __________________ Rod @ AzzKicker Cars 2004 Ford Mustang GT-The Driver-BBK CAI, PP TB & Inlet, Steeda UD's, SLP LM1, & 3.73's. 1990 Mercury Cougar XR7-The Meth Addict-5.0L DOHC Stroker w/2.1L KB SC. 1995 Ford F150-Mud Toy-5.0L, 4x4, 33's, & Warn 8274 Winch

September 14th, 2011, 03:41 AM	#12
96gtstang&V6 Enthusiast 1996 Mustang GT Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 759 iTrader: 2 reviews	Sir theres a nail in your tire.. 0:15 __________________ 2002 mustang v6- Auto, K&N CAI, Flowmaster dual exhaust, Black bullits dd 1996 mustang gt- 5spd, black, cobra hood, stock November Birthday Club Founder Old username: 97gt www.discounttiredirect.com

September 14th, 2011, 03:48 AM	#13
RedDevilGT SG 2005 Mustang GT 2001 Mustang V6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,137 iTrader: 0 reviews	Are you sure it's a nail lol? It looks like it's debris from white rock or concrete __________________ 01' V6: SCT tuned, Dual Flowmasters & H-pipe, 8000k 35w HID's, Steeda Short Shifter, BBK CAI, Eibach pro-kit, 3.73's and t-lok. 05' GT: SCT tuned, C&L Racer, FRPP cams, Pypes Pype Bomb's, Shorty Antenna, Painted Mirror covers, Decklid Panel

September 15th, 2011, 09:14 PM	#14
MustGT98allday Hardcore Enthusiast 1998 Mustang GT Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 1,286 iTrader: 2 reviews	i would do like tang stang says and lift up on the tire with a bar while its jacked up. Also if you move the tire left to right while its jacked up and feel play or knocking it could be either of your tie rods. You should be able to tell from those two things. But if its all tight and no play than check your sway bar links too __________________ pi swapped and dropped sn95

September 16th, 2011, 08:13 PM	#15
mustang50lx Regular Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 52 iTrader: 0 reviews	Get a stethoscope from a parts store or Sears and listen to the ball joints, tie rods, etc. while someone steers the wheels back and forth. Creaking ball joints and tie rods are not uncommon on Fords. I just put a ball joint in my Crown Victoria for that reason. It had no play in it. Make sure you put the parking brake on, the car in park, and block the wheels while laying under the car. You don't want to get run over.

September 19th, 2011, 04:34 PM	#16
Thumbie Hardcore Enthusiast 2001 Cobra 14.2@102 (I suck) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,621 iTrader: 0 reviews	I will have to try that when I get free time. Thanks for the advice guys, reps all around. __________________ 2001 Cobra with SRA swap, modded for twisties MM Cobra Club Member #76

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September 21st, 2011, 02:52 PM	#17
Ruffellbaker Regular 1997 Mustang GT Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hagerstown, MD Posts: 264 iTrader: 0 reviews	You have to unload the balljoint before you test for play. with the car on jackstands put a jack under the lower control arm and jack it up a little. You wont see play unless you do this because the ball joint would still be loaded. __________________ PI Cam Swap, MAC C/A intake, BBK 70mm TB, C&L Plenum, Ford 24lb injectors, March UD, 160 T Stat, MSD ignition, 3.73 gears, Stage 2 Clutch, Steeda Short Shifter, O/R X, Flow 40s, SCT Race Tune.

September 23rd, 2011, 04:01 PM	#18
1996 GT Traction...? 1996 GT/ 2008 GT Vert Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,217 iTrader: 0 reviews	Have you tried greasing them? I had the same issue, greased ball joints and tie rod ends and no more annoying sounds.

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