This is just cut and paste from my maintenance notes:
Quote:
Upper ball joint test:
Set the parking brake.
Position jack under the lower control arm and raise wheel clear of floor.
Lower jack to allow tire to lightly contact floor (most of vehicle weight relieved from the tire).
Grasp the top of the tire and apply force, in and outward. While this force is being applied, an observer checks for any movement at the ball joints between the upper control arm and the knuckle.
If any lateral movement is evident, replace the ball joint.
Lower ball joint test:
Set the parking brake.
Position jack under the lower control arm and raise wheel clear of floor.
Slide a 2x4 under the tire and lift and lower it with enough force to notice any possible play on the ball joint.
If you observe or feel any play, replace the ball joint.
Front wheel bearings:
Wheel bearing cartridges (item #1) are sealed assemblies that can not be lubricated.
They should have almost zero play.
With the front wheel still jacked up by the control arm, grasp each wheel, holding it first at the sides, then at the top and bottom. See if you can rock the wheel in and out, you shouldn't notice any looseness.
Also rotate the tire by hand. Any roughness or noise from the bearings will also tell you the bearings are worn or damaged.
If the bearing needs to be replaced, the right hand side (with ABS) part number is 52128692AE (or AA or AF). The left is 52128693AE (or AA or AF).
These are the big three. I have some notes on the steering gear, rack, etc. if you need.