ball joint??

my girlfriend has a 97 honda accord and i think the lower ball joint needs replacing but not sure.
if i lift up on the wheel there is movement in the ball joint, but no side to side or up and down movement.
should it be replaced? im not an expert on ball joints. ​

 

I'm an accord guru I had three accords before my taco, my last accord was turboed so I know a thing or two about them.

Is it popping? what makes you think the ball join is bad?

when you say there is movement are you saying you can move the knuckle?

 

How many miles are on it?

 

there doesnt seem to be any noises, and i can see the rubber boot stretch out when i lift the entire steering knuckle

 

Yeah that sounds like it might be bad if the boot is stretching. It shouldn't do that. I would try separating the joint from the lower control arm to see how much play it has.. Take out the cotter pin, remove the 17mm castle nut and then get a ball joint fork or some 2 jaw gear pullers(what I use) and separate it from the LCA. There should be very little play in it.