Is there a good way to the condition of ball joints while they are off the car?

I've got all my suspension taken apart at the moment and will need to replace all the bushings... well I would like to make sure the ball joints are good before I do all of that since the ball joints are built into the a-arm and a new a-arm comes with new ball joints and bushings.

When i took the suspension all apart, most of the rubber covers on the ball joints were torn. I can order replacement covers no problem.

 

Test and Specs for the ball joints are in the FSM

 

where are you ordering the dust covers from mine are weathered and would like to change the top a-arm ones

z

 

You can get them directly from mazda for about $10 each.

 

nice ill add that to my list for ray thanks
z