All

In an attempt to diagnose some front end clunking I am having I noticed that when the car is on the ground and/or I am putting weight on the tire with a jack...I can grab the front passenger wheel and it seems to have some play in it in and out. But only when there is weight/force applied to the wheel. If its just free in the air...no play.

I have Jimlab bushings up front...All the bolts are nice and tight...the wheel lug nuts are tight...I have removed the front sway bar to take that variable out of the equation.

The only things left are ball joints in the lower and upper arms and wheel bearings.

Does anyone have a easy way to check these items so I can isolate the problem better than replacing a bunch of costly items on the car...that really aren't the issue?

when I get the movement in the suspension, I get some of the tell tale clunking...but I can't tell where its coming from.

thanks
john

 

Get yourself a pair of ramps. That way you can get under the car, and wiggle things around with the weight still on the wheels.

 

I just put the car on jack stands and put my jack under the tire and jacked...same effect. but as hard as I have to shake it...I can't get my head in there and see where its coming from...

are the upper ball joints non servicable like the lowers?

john

 

You're correct.

Get a helper. Have the helper shake the wheel around while you lie under the car and feel around for movement. Place your finger in the gap between the top of the knuckle and the upper a-arm while the wheel is being moved around. Then try the lower balljoint, then place your finger in the gap between the inner a-arm bushings and their mounts etc. You'll be able to detect the slop when you find the culprit.

Wish I could repay your favor to me earlier but best I can do is new lower balljoint boots and the rubber spacers from the front upper a-arms. Need them?