When ball joints go bad will they make a knocking?@first I thought it was my u joints then maybe ball joints but I'm leaning towards wheel bearings..it started off squeaking then making a knocking sound.If I lift the wheel off of the ground&grab@12&6o'clock its tight but if I grab@3&7&rock it its loose what are do you think?

 

Jack the front end up and have a buddy take a bar and stick under the 6 o'clock position and try to rock the wheel while your underneath looking for the slack you say is present, might narrow it down some that way.

 

drag link or tie rod ends

 

check ujoints with wheels on ground, in 2wd, nice and level. reach behind the tire and grab the inner part of the axle and twist it back and forth against the outer half. should be zero movement and seal intact.

play at 3 and 9 sounds like tie rods, but do the pry bar test above for ball joints. look for where the movement occurs.