Automotive ball joints are located on the front end of all vehicles. Ball joints allow the front tires to pivot back and forth but wear down over time. The ball joints link to the upper and lower control arms. You should check the ball joints on your vehicle every 30,000 miles.
Raise the vehicle with the jack until the tires are off the ground. Place jack stands in a secure position to adequately support the weight of the front end of the car.
Lower the car back down onto the jack stands. Make sure the wheels are still off the ground. Shake the car to ensure the vehicle rests safely on the jack stands.
Crawl underneath the car and use the flashlight to examine the boots of the upper and lower ball joints. If you see rips or tears in the boots, you will need grease to lubricate the ball joint. If there are openings in the boots, add more grease to the ball joints and check them every week until they can be replaced.
Place one hand directly on the top of the tire and one hand directly on the bottom. Pull and push the wheel from top to bottom. If there is a lot of play, your ball joints are extremely worn down and need to be replaced. A little bit of play is OK, but keep in mind that new ball joints will have no play at all.
Raise the car off the jack stands and remove them. Lower the car to the ground.
