1997 Accord f22b2. How do you correctly check lower ball joint?
1- with vehicle jacked up2- with vehicle jacked up and floor jack under lower control arm taking up tension.
I've seen both ways done on same vehicle.
Thanks, my car squeaks going over bumps.



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Actually you want to do it both ways. Vehicle suspension components wear in different ways, so you need to check in different ways.

First get the vehicle jacked up on jackstands. You want about 4-5 inches of space between the tire and the ground

Use a prybar to check play in various components. Then use a LONG prybar from the side of the car directly under the tire. Be gentle and work the prybar up and down raising and lowering the tire slightly. Try it at different angles a few times. If there is play, you'll feel it through the prybar. (i like to use a 5-6 foot prybar for this)

Then place a jackstand under the lower control arm and set the vehicle on it. Do the same test again. This is also the best time to check the upper control arm as well.

If you find no result, grab a can of WD-40 and spray ONE component/bushing at a time, and test drive the vehicle. Keep doing this until the noise goes away and you found your problem.