2001 ball joints

[discord1117]

i searched pretty thoroughly through this forum and even read tech library. I think my ball joints are bad. if i push on the passenger side bumper I hear the squeek. not on driver side though. sqeeks only at low speeds and over bumps. also at 70 plus mils per hour she shimmies pretty good. my question is it the upper or lower that normally goes out. truck is a 4.0 with for doors and a whopping 300k on the clock, still runs like new. which ball joints and does it have something to do with the shimmy at hi speeds. also on the same side of the sqeek the steering wheel points that direction like the alignment is off. thanks in advance and pardon my newbie. never had a single problem with truck before

 

[projectnitemare]

The correct way to check balljoints is to jack the truck up under each control arm and take a long bar under the tire and pull up. If you aren't coordinated enough to work the bar and look at the balljoints at the same time have a helper. There should be no movement in them. Then shake the tire side to side. There should be no play in the tie rod ends or at the rack. Having 300k on it the entire front end could be shot as far as balljoints and bushings. The squeeks could be be just dry poly bushings like at the sway bar or something wore out. The shake could be out of balance tires or stuff wore out. It probably needs a good once over and you'll find some issues.

 

[Hooligan2c]

The correct way to check balljoints is to jack the truck up under each control arm and take a long bar under the tire and pull up. If you aren't coordinated enough to work the bar and look at the balljoints at the same time have a helper. There should be no movement in them. Then shake the tire side to side. There should be no play in the tie rod ends or at the rack. Having 300k on it the entire front end could be shot as far as balljoints and bushings. The squeeks could be be just dry poly bushings like at the sway bar or something wore out. The shake could be out of balance tires or stuff wore out. It probably needs a good once over and you'll find some issues.

^^This is it.
My ball joints went last year, they had movement like stated above and a friend helped me diagnose it and Brinker88 helped with the install. When mine went I had no front end shake, and still had a few squeaks after the new front end parts were put on (CV's, All ball joints, & hubs)

If you are still running stock ball joints, I recommend swapping out to the MOOG Performers. I got mine from Roackauto.com, they are a great price PLUS they are greasable.