1969 Chevy El Camino Ball Joints Bad?

GETREADY2FLY

MEMBER
1969 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO

Steering problem
1969 Chevy El Camino V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

When I make a left turn, I get this popping /creaking noise; I seem to think it's my ball joints. What is the best way to check them and are they an easy fix?

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Best way to do this is to jack the car up under the lower control arm. Put a bar beetween the spindle and control arm and see if it wil move up and down. Do this on both sides. If it moves like a 1/4" then they need replacing. If they are original they will have rivets that need to be cut and punched out. Bu tyou should check your whole suspension system for play not only the joints.