The FSM lists these force and torque values for bench-testing front lower and upper ball joints, but what do these translate into in terms of "wiggling the studs with your fingers"?
The lower limit of 4.4/5.5 pounds of force strikes me as being a pretty stiff.
I don't think mine are anywhere near that stiff, but they also don't seem to have any noticeable up/down play.
Given that OEM control arms have been discontinued, I would prefer to not have to replace them.

 

Put the ball on a vise and see whether you have any play by moving the arm.

i will say though the ccfablab ball joint kit is very nice but the cost is high
https://ccfablab.com/product/cc-rx7-...ll-center-kit/

i used the longer ball joints and the car is in a much more neutral position when lowered and its obvious on turns where i would spin before and now it just goes

 

Those will be my last resort if I have to get new ball joints, assuming Mevotech/Dorman lower arms don't come back in stock.
I don't understand why they cost that much. Making the roll center adjuster version two hundred dollars more is not reasonable in my mind.