Lower

Fig. 9 Checking upper ball joint. Caballero & El Camino:

Caballero & El Camino
1. Ensure wheel bearings are properly adjusted.
2. Raise vehicle and position supporting devices under lower control arms as near as possible to lower ball joints, ensuring vehicle is stable and does not rock on supporting devices.
3. Position dial indicator against wheel rim, Fig. 9.
4. Grasp front wheel and push in on bottom of tire while pulling out at top and read gauge, then reverse push pull procedure.
5. If dial indicator reading exceeds .125 inch or if ball stud has been disconnected from knuckle assembly and any looseness is detected or the stud can be manually twisted in its socket, replace ball joint.

Fig. 10 Checking lower ball joint for wear:

Fig. 11 Lower ball joint wear indicator:

LOWER
Lower ball joints are a loose fit when not connected to the steering knuckle. Wear may be checked without disassembling the ball stud as follows:
1. Support weight of control arms at wheel hub and drum.
2. Measure distance between tip of ball stud and tip of grease fitting below ball joint, Fig. 10.
3. Move support to control arm to allow wheel hub and drum to hang free. Measure distance as in Step 2. If difference in measurements exceeds 1/16 inch for Caballero and El Camino and 3/32 inch for all other models, ball joint is worn and should be replaced. Caballero and El Camino models have lower ball joints that incorporate wear indicators. Refer to Fig. 11 to check for wear.