I just replaced the passenger side upper control arm because I thought the bushings were out because the rear side of the arm was moving around. I was going to do all ball joints, but I chickened out when I got to taking the knuckle apart...this is my daily. I put it all back together and checked the wheels again for play. there's no play when pulling top/bottom of wheel. there's no play when pulling on on left/right of wheel.

When I go down a side street that is a bit rough, I feel a tapping like something is worn/loose in my steering wheel.

Dad was thinking a shock was loose or could be steering rack going bad. When sitting on the ground, and moving the steering wheel...I don't feel any clunking, so I don't know about the steering rack.

I still have the lowers and driver's side ball joints ready to put in, but if the wheels aren't moving when I yank on them...I'd say the ones that are in there are good yet.

any ideas?

Edit: Truck has 163k miles on it.

 

When was the last time the ball joints got replaced. If you don't know and it has 163k on it i would replace them for peace of mind. Also check your steering shaft that comes out of the fire wall for any broken or badly worn parts. Also have some one watch the steering shaft while you turn the wheel back and forth and check for play.

 

I got the truck about a year ago with about 150k miles on it. Looking over the records the lady had, I thought she had the ball joints done...maybe it was recommended. All of them had grease inserts...but when I got it, the right lower joint had mud packed in the insert. I cleaned it out and it does accept grease. Guy at AdvanceAuto seemed to think that they came with sealed joints from the factory...I wouldn't know.

 

yeah, sealed from the factory sounds correct. Any replacements tho will have the grease fittings on them.