I have a 1997 Blaser S-10 LS 4WD and want to determine if new ball joints are required. The original ones were replaced around 30k miles and it currently has 150k miles on it.

What is the best method to determine if they are too worn?

Besides AC Delco, Moog and other cheap aftermarket manufacturers of ball joints is there a manufacturer that sells high quality ball joints?

Or should I just go with AC Delco or Moog?

Thanks.

 

Raise the vehicle by the lower control arm as close as possible to the lower ball joint, until the tire is a couple of inches off the ground. Stick a pipe, 2x4, pry bar, etc, about 48" in length under the tire. Pry up and down while closely watching the lower ball joint. There should be no percievable vertical movement in the joint. If you see movement, MOOG.

 

Replacing the lower ball joints is not difficult, but I think the '97 will have rivets holding the ball joints in...which will have to be drilled out. This is the only really difficult part...getting a drill under the lower control arm. This means the front needs to be a good distance off the ground.

And use Moog parts.

 

Drill????!!! Extremely time consuming and if you're not centered on the rivet, you can easily damage the control arm. Carefully grind off the top of the rivet, then using a drift, (not a punch) knock the rivet out. A couple of whacks with a decent hammer will do it. 5 minutes per ball joint maximum, nothin' to it

 

Thanks for the info. I replaced the original upper and lower ball joints already many miles ago so they are both bolt in types. I'll check their current freeplay and use MOOG if needed. Thanks for the help.