Q: How to inspect the lower ball joint for any issues?
A: When checking the lower ball joint for problems such as looseness or damage to the seal, follow these steps: First, raise and safely support the vehicle so that the front suspension can hang freely. Then, have a partner hold the top and bottom of the tire while pushing inwards on top to see if there is any movement of the knuckle up and down in relation to the lower Control Arm; change out the ball joint if there is any. To test how tight the ball stud is in its knuckle boss, shake wheel and feel for any play in end of stud or castellated nut; also make sure that torque to be applied to castellated nut is sufficient since a loose nut might result from a bent stud or an enlarged hole in knuckle boss. Replace any worn or damaged ball joint or knuckle. If both of these occur, replace it. The socket should be opened first by raising and safely supporting your vehicle and removing wheel and tire assembly. On Eldorado and Seville with 4.6L engine remove road sensing suspension position sensor from lower control arm. Loosen cotter pin/nut from ball joint stud; separate ball joint from Steering Knuckle with appropriate ball joint separator tool. On Deville and Fleetwood, remove stabilizer bar link nut then drill out three rivets holding ball joint onto lower control arm.Y inch (13 mm) recommended drill bit size.Attach new ball joint using three mounting bolts/nuts which it must be placed correctly on depending on type of model.Vehicle's specified torque values should be used when tightening nuts at this stage.Insert cotter pin into castellated nut after putting back the same in place where it belongs.Reinstall road sensing suspension position sensor for Eldorado and Seville with 4.6L engine; if necessary, remove CV-joint boot protector tool before finally installing wheel/tire assembly followed by lowering vehicle.