I could've never guessed that it may be it. Squeaking on driver side front end which I thought was dry bushings/moisture related. Fixed w/spray lube on bushings at the arms (not ball joint).

Next thing, lower ball joint snapped in two...looked sheared right in the middle to me???

There was no play so I think it's the ball joint material stress failure.
BTW, it's '00 Civic AT D7y16 and only 130 000 k/ 70 000 miles on it.

Can anybody confirm the squeak is symptomatic with ball joint snapping???

 

Ball joints can sqeak when they're toast. Might as well inspect all of the ball joints. Replace with moog if you can. Their product uses stronger material.

 

Well, a lesson learned about the squeak but there is no play in the opposite side and there is no squeak there yet...how else can one determine they're toast then?

BTW, I did replace with moog + put in a new axle since the old one popped out splitting the boot closer to tranny.

 

Those are the only methods I know. Sqeak and play. If the boots aren't torn and everything else checks out, you should be good.