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[geoffr70]

Hi peeps, what's the best way to check for a worn ball joint on the wish bone? Remove it from the pinch bolt then give it a wiggle, see if it's loose or slack? Also how are you meant to assess all the steering/track rod joints without popping them off? Thanks peeps

[feeutfo]

Wb ball joint, get under and see if there is vertical play in the wishbone, I find is easiest and most obvious. No jacking or levers required. It does need no side load on the suspension though, so wheels straight. Just grab with wb and pull up and down by the ball joint while watching the gap and feeling for a knock/play.

The steering links I do while jacked, from under the car if possible, and move the steering through its movement while wiggling the road wheel left right for play, looking at each joint in turn.

Then as another check while jacked, grab the bottom of the wheel and push pull in and outboard for wb ball joint play. (you need to seperate this from any wheel baring play)
  I don't seem to have much luck with this test though. Maybe because the bushes are forcing the wishbone up on the fully extended suspension, it takes a fair bit of force to get the wishbone down that low, plus the wear on the ball joint doesn't happen with the wb at the fully lowered angle. So best tested at the normal ride height it seems.

[05omegav6]

Hold the component next to the joint in question and give it a damn good shake, any play should be quite apparent  twisting the track rods can also give an idea as to the beginning of play as they will get easier to twist as the joints wear

[geoffr70]

Ok thanks Chris and Al, I'll investigate!

[dbug]

Track rod ends - jack up and grip wheel at quarter to 3 position and waggle to check for wear.  For wheel bearings do the same at half 12 position.