How much play is OK on upper ball joint?

[Motorhead]

My '07, see signature below, has 45,000 miles on it and stock tires and rims. Not much off roading.
I was checking my EMS hubs today and felt a little up play at the spindle when I lifted it up and down. It seems to be at the upper ball joint.
What if any is OK?

 

[sag2]

Don't just pry up and down, follow the procedure.



UPPER BALL JOINT - INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION

1. Raise the front of the vehicle. Place safety floor stands under both lower control arms as far outboard as possible. Lower the vehicle to allow the stands to support some or all of the vehicle weight.

2. Remove the front tires.

3. Mount a dial indicator solidly to the frame.

4. Position dial indicator plunger on the topside of the upper ball joint and then zero the dial indicator. NOTE: The dial indicator plunger must be perpendicular to the machined surface of the ball joint.





NOTE: Use care not to pry or tear the ball joint boot (5), when checking the free play.

5. Position a pry bar between the steering knuckle and the upper control arm. Pry upwards on the upper control arm.

6. If the travel exceeds 0. 5 mm (0. 020 in. ), replace the upper ball joint (Refer to 02 - Front Suspension/Front/BALL JOINT, Suspension - Removal) .

7. If the upper ball joint is within specs reinstall the front tires (Refer to 22 - Tires and Wheels/Wheels - Standard Procedure) .

 

[steved]

EMS Hubs = 4WD



Independent Front Suspension = 2WD



Unless I'm missing something? Are the specs the same?

 

[rscurtis]

The upper ball joints on a 4X4 are not balls, but a pin in a bushing. Vertical movement is normal, to the point it is allowed by the lower ball joint. In and out play at the upper would indicate it's worn out.

 

[sag2]

Oops, sorry, grabbed the wrong one. This is for 4x4.



To properly diagnose the upper ball joint two readings from the dial indicator are necessary. The two readings must be added together to find a total ball joint movement as identified in the steps below.



1. Raise and support the vehicle.





2. Attach a dial indicator (3) with the indicator resting on either the front or back sides of the steering knuckle (4) as close to the upper ball joint (1) as possible.

3. Set the dial indicator(3) to zero.

4. Grab the tire by pushing in on the top of the tire and pulling out on the bottom of the tire. Record the reading on the dial indicator (3). This will be the first reading.

5. Set the dial indicator (3) back to zero.

6. Grab the tire by pulling in on the top of the tire and pushing out on the bottom of the tire. Record the reading on the dial indicator (3). This will be the second reading.

7. Add the two readings together for a total upper ball joint movement. If this reading is above 1. 52 mm (0. 060 in) then replacement of the upper ball joint is necessary (Refer to 02 - Front Suspension/Front/BALL JOINT, Suspension - Removal) .

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks guys... I don't have . 060 movement yet.