Ball Joints?????????????

[Bannon7414]

i have yet another question, when i am backing out of parking spaces and turn my wheel while the brake is being applied i hear a dry cracking noise like something is rubbing, could that be the ball joints?

[DenisM]

sounds strange to me. to check your ball joints though, jack up the front end and grab the tire on to top and bottom, then move the top in and the bottom out and vise versa repeatedly. if theres play when you move it you probably need ball joints. id check for play in the front end and if theres none check out your brakes.

[bobss396]

That car uses standard press in lower ball joints, no rack and pinion, just a regular steering box. You can check the lower ball joints by jacking up the car fron under the lower control arm, do one side at a time. This takes the load off the ball joint. You have to unlock the steering column too.

Normally these ball joints are quiet unless they're ready to fall out. My money is on a loose brake pad. I use Permatex brake adhesive on my pads when I install them. The inner one pretty much stays put and the outer one gets loose over time. Pop off the wheel, if you can jiggle the outer pad, you probably found your noise. I use an adhesive and peen down the ears on the pads tight against the calipers when I install them.

Also check your wheel bearings for excessive play and look at your upper control arm bushings and sway bar links.

Bob