Put the car on a rack and have the ball joints inspected by a professional if you suspect they are bad. Your car will dart from side to side and handle poorly if they are bad. This is a very dangerous situation so have this looked at ASAP.
If you have a factory steering knuckle, ford designed them for the ball joints to not be removable. If you are thinking that your ball joints are bad for some reason, you will need to get after market steering knuckles, and ball joints for replacement. Costly, I know but worth it. I suggest MOOG, I've always have had good experience with them.
Yes, it can
BAD BALL JOINTS instuctions
they can be because your ball joint is the key to your steering and suspension if the ball joint goes that can be very bad
Need to know what vehicle and what year for an answer
Dry ball joints/suspension joints. Universal joints going bad. Worn brake pad "squealers".
no
Bad shocks, ball joints bad, tires out of balance. More then likely shocks.
replace when bad
The truck will "wander" going down the road with no movement to the steering wheel. Jack the wheels off the ground and try to move them as of they we turning a corner. If you get movement in one wheel and not the other, ball joints are shot.
When owning a car it is important to know how much replacement parts will cost. A 1992 Oldsmobile Royale brake and ball joints will cost between $15 and $60+.
Low air pressure, hitting curbs, bad ball joints, bad alignment.