Checking Bearing Mounts and Ball Joints

GENERAL INFORMATION.

Replace ball joints if play is detected in them or if

the protective boots are damaged.

Inspection.

PROCEDURE.

1. Ball joint.

1a. Raise the front of the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground.

1b. Standing beside the vehicle, grasp the wheel at the top and bottom and rock it

toward and away from you.

1c. Check for relative horizontal movement

between the bearing support and the lower arm. If the ball stud is disconnected from the bearing support, check the joint for play and the force of movement

of the stud in the joint housing. Replace the joint if play is present or

the stud can be moved in the joint insert by hand.

2. Check the stud fit in the bearing support bracket. To do this,

place your fingers on the castellated nut and the bearing support bracket at their contact point and rock the wheel with your other hand. Presence of relative

movement felt by your fingers indicates wear in the joint.

ball stud-bracket joint. The condition of the ball stud can also be

checked by the residual tightening torque of the castellated nut.

A loose nut indicates wear of the stud neck or the mounting hole in the bearing support bracket.

Worn or damaged ball joints and

bearing supports must be replaced.