Ball Joints ?
 

I think my ball joints are going bad what is the best way to check them ?
on a 4x4 2002 3500?

Raise the front axle on jack stands and use a long bar to pry on the bottoms of the tires to see if there is any side movement at the joints.
It helps to have someone prying, and someone watching.

This is also a great way to check wheel bearings. If you Feel a "thump" while prying the tire up chances are bad ball joints or wheel bearing(or both).

I would reccomend replacing front end parts with quality parts not cheap stuff. Or you will be doing it again within 6 months..

I prefer Moog for ball joints and National Bearing for Wheel bearings or seals..

Thanks for the info ! when this is done there isisnt any side to side movement howeever a very small amount of up and down movement in the ball joints. does the up and down mean they are bad or am i just looking for side to side ?

Its best if you have 2 people to do this , one moving wheel & one watching , there are mutable things that can be loose , so you need to see/feel what is lose , its not uncommon for 2 things to be lose that would make the same lose movement , like ball joint & wheel bearing , so you must see to verify which .

It is normal to have a small amount of up and down movement. There is an allowable spec for it, and you need to measure it with a dial indicator.

Thanks for the infor again ! I am a tool and die maker so i happen to have a dial indicator or two it aprears to be about .100" on the up and down all the other sterring components are tight. wheel bearings look good so maybe i am allright bell tire tried to sell me some ball joints the other day becouse one of my steer tires is worn on the outside pretty bad but the tire has been in the same spot for 60K the original steer tires made it 110,000 miles wish i think could be a record !