Checking Bottom Ball Joint Play

[grober]

Can anyone give me a method for checking the front suspension ball joint play. I know in the MOT test they raise the front suspension arms by jacking them up with the wheels still on the ground but I'm not sure exactly what they look for? Do you look for movement as you are jacking up or when you let the suspension arm down. How much play if any should be present. Exactly where do you position the jack etc etc. Maybe someone knows of a post pref with pics which gives the answer??

 

[guydewdney]

Simple - jack up the front end, as you would when changing a wheel.

Grab top and bottom of the wheel.

Try to 'tilt' the wheel. any play = dead wheel bearings or dead ball joints.

If theres play - check to see if theres left right play - if so theres a good chance its wheel bearings - try spinning the wheel, it will 'rumble' and feel rough if they are dead. Also check with the steering on full lock and look at the steering arm (teh one that pushes the wheel left / right) - is there play in the wheel, but not in the arm? yes = dead steering linkage ball joint. if no, but wheel moves left right, the steering rack is dead.

Hope that helps

Guy