my truck has been makin an odd noise front drivers side. i replace the front shocks hopin that was it but it still makes the noise. how can i distinguish the difference between bad ball joints or u-joints. and if it is ball joints will i need both upper and lower or what? i need some advice now.
Thanks

 

Lift the front end off the ground about a little. To do the ball joints, grab the bottom of the wheel/tire and try and lift up. It shouldn't move, but if it does, and depending how much, ball joints may need replaced (tire wear on the inside indicates bad ball joints as well. U-joints, make sure the hubs are locked and the transfer case is in N. Turn the wheel back and forth and see how much slop there is.

 

what he said. If you gotta do ball joints do them both at the same time if you got the coin do all 4. Youll be suprised how much tighter the steering will feel.

 

For what the parts cost I would do the u joints as well