Upper Ball Joint Question

i believe my driver side upper ball joint is bad. why? it only makes a poppin' noise when i go foward or backward. my lower ball joint did it no matter what. i just replaced the CV axle and still there. is there a way that i can tell if it is the upper ball joint? and how do i remove the joint? thnx and what tools will i need?

is it a poppin' noise or a clunking noise/feeling.

popping. no clunking. only does it when i backup or start from first.

did you replace your cv axles yourself... or did someone else do it?

Does it do it on acceleration and deceleration?

Ive been reading on the balljoints and replacing them. Here is what I got from hayne's book.

1.) The front suspension uses two balljoints. The upper balljoint, located in the upper control arm, CAN'T BE REMOVED. If it's worn or damaged, replace the upper control arm. ( See Section 5 )

2. The lower balljoint, located in the steering knuckle, can be removed, but special tools are needed. If it's worn or damaged, remove the knuckle ( See Section 7 ) and take it to an automotive machine shop or other repair shop to have it replaced.

And thats all it saies on that subject.

did u install any aftermarket camber kits? i installed a set of cheap dropzone camber kits and the bushing inside the camber came loose. this made the whole upper control arm slide back and forth everytime i started from a dead stop or going into reverse.

I have Skunk 2 Camber Kit its sweet as hell.

i do everything myself. the noise was there before i changed the cv axle and it is still there. i also replaced the lower ball joint too. so that pretty much leaves the upper ball joint, right? and i have not done anything with my suspension yet. as far as upgrades goes. on acceleration and deceleration it does not make the noise. just from the start or when i start to backup. it only happens when i start moving the car in either direction. this is just damn annoying.

I have Skunk 2 Camber Kit its sweet as hell.

If your upper and lower balljoints do not have any stud damage or boot damage. Then they are fine. These two damages lead to your balljoints being damaged. If it is just noisy and it bugs you, then change it. Other than that, they will still be fine. Are you sure the balljoints are the cause of the noise. If it is the balljoints, a loose castlenut will cause the noise due to extra space for movement. You definately do not want to drive around with a loose castle nut.

Here are some possible things,

1.) Loose engine or transaxle mounts
2.) Worn differential pinion shaft in case.
3.) Worn driveaxle bore in differential case
4.) Worn or damaged driveaxle inbord CV Joints.

If its not any of that then I donno.