How do you know if your ball joints are bad? My Jeep is in the shop and they are telling me they need replaced. They lifted the Jeep up and showed me a space of 1/16 of an inch and indicated this is a sign of failure. I know nothing about these.

Your input is greatly appreciated

 

Jack each tire up off the ground one at a time then put a pry bar under the tire and lift up and down. If you can hear clicking or see movement in the balljoints, they are bad.

 

is there suppose to be any gap between the upper ball joint and the axle C

 

Took my Jeep to the dealer about a month ago for the noise and play I have in mine (@.25'') , they said it was normal?? The play is only up and down and It still drives fine.

 

There should not be any up and down play.

 

You guys are correct about the ball joints not having any play with only one exception. Chrysler says that loose ball joints are within spec. They can be out almost 1/4" and still be good. Just try to have them warrantied. They will not fix them.

There are a few things that Chrysler does that really make me regret buying any vehicle from them.

 

Some movement in any ball joint is considered normal. None are 100% tight and there are specs for every different kind that will be noted in the vehicle service manual. I can tell you for a fact that none have an acceptable limit of 1/4". If I were you I would ask your dealer to show you the spec in the service manual then ask him to show you the dial indicator attached to your vehicle so you can see it for yourself. It is well within your right to request that.

 

Ball Joint limits from the FSM for the JK are as follows:

Upper radial play (side to side) exceeding 0.060" needs replacement.

Lower axial play (up and down) exceeding 0.050" needs replacement.

 

I have had my balljoints replaced 3x each side and going to have them changed on the right side again. All warrantied

 

The ball joints on my XJ and MJ never needed replacement in the 14 years I owned them. 186K miles on the XJ. They had grease fittings, though.

I'm still wanting an old upper and lower from a JK for some R&D on installing grease fittings.
If anyone has a set they would like to send me, I will pay the shipping.