Ball Joints going bad???

How can you tell if the ball joints are going bad?? I have a 99 ford ranger and it just started making a noise and it will do it when i have the engine off or on and only from the right front. It sounds really weird like something needs lubricated. I checked it out and when you push up n down on the front bumper it still does it. When i drove it this morning, when i started to turn right onto another street, the steering wheel started shaking and you could feel it in the front area also. Any suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

That's a definite sign that the ball joints need replacing. :2cents: