Ball Joint Checking
- Raise vehicle and support with safety stands. Turn steering wheel to one side. Install lever so that ball joint spring may be compressed.
- With spring compressed, position a vernier caliper with lower jaw on ball joint stud and upper jaw on top of clamping bolt for ball joint stud. Note reading.
- Slowly release tension from spring and note travel of caliper. This reading indicates ball joint play. If play exceeds .040" (1 mm) for new ball joints or .100" (2.5 mm) for used ball joints, replace ball joints.