Ball joint help

[carpetmonster]

Hey guys im hoping someone can help me My 190 lwb has had a squeaking sound for about a week when going over bumps and steering. Its got gradually worse and there feels like there is some play in the steering,I jacked up the wheel and there is play there when rocking the wheel but i think that could be the wheel bearing. Funds are really tight at the moment and i need the van for work Monday morning can anyone give me some advice on how to check what it is i can afford a ball joint and would be able to change it myself just need to know how to confirm it is the balljoint. Is the any thing else that would cause the same thing?

[sideshow_bill]

Have a look throug the Haynes manual? If you are realy not confident about working on the steering/suspension then you should think about getting someone to give you a hand?

You may be short of cash right now but you will be even poorer if you trash your van!

[carpetmonster]

Im fairly confident home mechanic just dont know how to check ball joints for play

[apples26]

get huge leevr bar jack wheel off floor put lever bar on floor under tyre, try to lift the wheel up, or get someone to do it while you look at the b joint, also try levering off somewere to the joint, with wheel in air, grab wheel 9-3 position and wiggle as if trying to shake it , same up down 12-6


i would check for rack play (side to side) if its not that just doo the joints, when theese go trust me they go big stylee, just change em there not dear

[carpetmonster]

if there is play 9-3 and 12-6 when wriggled is that the ball joint or could that be wheel bearing?

[apples26]

well nip the bearing up a tad and see but a weeny bit play is allways good for a transit bearing, you need to look at or grab the steering rack ends while someone is doing it so too if its a track rod end, but if its squeeking turning just do the balljoints before you regret it, if theres a track rod end out might aswell do that while your there as it will fail the mot