Bad Ball Joint?

[ca1rangers]

I just took my truck in for a road hazard warranty on one of my tires I got about 4 months ago. I did not go to the same place I got my tires. They replaced my tire but told me I needed a new lower ball joint. They also said I needed a new inner tie rod. Now the Tie rod I had replaced when I got the tires. My question is, is there a cut and dry way to tell if a lower ball joint is bad? Or is this guy just tring to get a sale out of me.

 

[jrboatin]

Yes there is a easy way.
My left lower was bad, jack up to get tire off ground. Grab wheel at the top and bottom. push and pull, you will be able to feel it move. If its tight you will not be able to move it.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yes there is a easy way.
My left lower was bad, jack up to get tire off ground. Grab wheel at the top and bottom. push and pull, you will be able to feel it move. If its tight you will not be able to move it.

The correct way to check for ball joint play on a SLA front suspension is to jack it up under the lower control arm, place a large prybar underneath the tire and pry up while having someone watch to see if there is any ball joint movement.