Proper way to check lower ball joints?

What is the proper way to check the lower ball joints on our 2nd gens besides just rocking the tire at 12 o clock and 6 o clock? Do I need to load the LCA before checking?

 

Jack up the corner of the truck and put a jack stand underneath the control arm as close as you can get to the tire without actually touching it. Lower the floor jack so the weight of the vehicle is on the control arm, but not on the tire. This puts the ball joint and the control arm at the same angles where they spend most of their time.

Then use a block of wood and a pry bar to pry the tire up and down while you check for play. From there you can also take the tire off and use the the bar to pry between the arm and the knuckle in various places around the ball joint, turn the steering back and forth, etc

If you do it with the control arm drooping the ball joint will be maxed out to the side and often appear tight, even though it is loose.

 

Yes, much better directions. Lol

I’m more of a shower not a teller. LMAO