how do i tell when my lower ball joints are bad? 1991 gmc jimmy?

[Stan]

i jacked it up and tried wiggling it but it doesnt move. one mechanic said they were bad and another mechanic said they were starting to wear out a little bit but should last for awhile longer

also theres a knocking noise in my suspension when i hit bumps or turn something knocks could that be my ball joints? they seem fine to me

 

[Joshua R]

Could be ball joints, Im thinking your shocks might be blown. Check the bushings on top and bottom or look for fluid around the shocks.

 

[Molson02536]

i jacked it up and tried wiggling it but it doesnt move. one mechanic said they were bad and another mechanic said they were starting to wear out a little bit but should last for awhile longer

also theres a knocking noise in my suspension when i hit bumps or turn something knocks could that be my ball joints? they seem fine to me

Jack up the A arms so the wheel is off the ground, once off the ground and with the crow bar between the wheel and ground. Try to lift the wheel off the ground and if there is excessive play, your bail joins are worn. There should be some play but you can tell what excessive is.

The thumping noise could be the torsion bar insulator support, it's common for them to separate and no longer support the the Torsion bar support on to the frame. Here is a link to the part in question, the part is #6 in the link and this can be checked by placing the jack under the driver's side A arm off the ground. Once off the ground inspect the passenger side isolator by pushing up in the torsion bar support from the frame, any movement and your insulator needs to be replaced. Check the other side the same way and good luck, keep us posted.

http://www.compnine.com/index.php?u...delid=7018&capuid=1&majorgroup=06&grouptype=B