I have a quick question that I am unable to find any previous discussion to. I recently started noticing some noise coming from the front end while driving. I lifted the driver side front because that seemed to be where the noise was coming from. Originally, I thought the wheel bearing was going to hell, and that might still be the case. I grabbed the wheel 12 & 6 with zero slop. Then, I happened to notice the upper balljoint was completely missing the rubber boot. Now I'm starting to think that I'm feeling a vibration through the upper ball joint. It sometimes almost feels/sounds like a mild thumping (intermittantly). My question is, would a bad upper ball joint make this sound/feel?

Truck is in my sig with 142,000 miles To my knowledge, it's riding on the original upper and lower balljoints. Please help, as I'm going to be putting 3-400 miles on her this weekend.

Thanks.

jack up the truck and try to lift the tire with a crowbar and see if its smooth or any popping of play in the ball joint

If the boot is gone, it's going to be junk. I know what you drive through, weather, and road wise, replace it.
I once thought my rt bearing was out, but on closer inspection, it was an upper ball joint, found used take offs cheap (until the cognito kit comes from santa)

check out rockauto for replacements.

From what I've noticed localy, there have been 4 trucks around here that needed balljoints recently. All around the same mileage. The drivers side upper was always the worst. Hell mine would swivel 360 degrees.

Well guys, I lifted the truck and tried prying up on the tire with a crowbar. No movement. Now, I'm sure the balljoint will fail at some point but no movement yet. However, what I did find, the passenger side has about 1/8" of play from grabbing the wheel at 12/6. New wheel bearing/hub going in tomorrow morning. I'll let you know how it goes.

Done deal. New passenger side wheel bearing/hub and no more noise. Thanks to the great write-up on the site by McRat.

The proper way to check steering and suspension components is to support the vehicle from underneath the lower control arms (with tires off the ground). This allows the components to rest in a position like they would be when at ride height. If you dont check things in this fashion, you may overlook the issue as things are not resting in the postion in which where they receive the most wear.