Mitsubishi Repair: 1996 galant s automatic ball joint, lower ball joints, mitsubishi galant

Question
i purchased a 1996 mitsubishi galant a few months back and it has been hell ever since.  bottom line is that i parked it and got another vechicle and am trying to prepare to give this one to someone else.  before i do there is one last problem that i need to get fixed that being the ball joint.  i was told it was the ball joint any way.  it makes a loud popping almost a cracking sound when the car is either turning or going forward mostly on acceleration from non-moving to moving on the passenger side.  if this does sound like the ball joint to you can you tell me if it is the upper or lower or both. since i bought the car in apr 2005 i have replaced the motor mounts and transmission mount, timing belt and water pump, left tie rod.  thanks

Answer
Matt,
This does sound like a lower ball joint problem.  Most cars need to have their lower ball joints replaced at least once in their life.  The most common contributors to failing ball joints are pot holes, railroad tracks, hard cornering, and broken ball joint boots.  A mechanic can determine very quickly if your ball joints are bad.  If it's bad on one side of the car, chances are it is bad on the other side as well.

Also have your mechanic check your sway bar bushings.  Sometimes worn bushings can cause similar noises as a bad ball joint.
Good luck!