Upper or Lower Ball Joint noise? '03 PreRunner

Gentlemen...and ladies if present, just a quick question reference a knocking or popping sound from passenger side front end.
History...'03 PreRunner Dbl cab 3.4 that I purchased new, and now has approximately 142,000 miles (all highway/ no off roading). Stock tires (265/70 16), replaced shocks about two years ago with the Bilstein 5100's front / 5125's Rear, sway bar end links (moog), and the steering rack bushings have been replaced (Energy Suspension).
Lower / Upper ball joints are stock...never replaced. My VIN # is not part of the recall.

Past couple of months when turning sharp, I can hear a slight knock or popping noise from the front passenger side. Doesn't do it all the time. Example is yesterday I heard it when turning into my driveway.
Is this indicative of a upper or lower ball joint or something else? I've gotten underneath the truck and looked but don't see anything that really screams, "I'm broke!".

 

I'd definitely look into it.
It could be as benign as a tire rubbing against a loose wheel wheel liner, or the mud flap.
If you rule that out, jack up each corner, and see if you can duplicate that noise,
by grabbing the tire at top and bottom and wiggle hard (ball joint check).
Then do the same by grabbing the tire at left and right (tire-rod check).

 

It's definitely not the tire rubbing, so this weekend I'll probably jack up the front end and try moving the tire up/down, etc.

 

Take a look at this video I made with my buddy Sean on one way to inspect your balljoints:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rteeAOQlrKY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Another possibility is play in the lower control arm bushings. They are known to wear out and cause a symptom like you described.

Whatever you do, inspect your LBJ asap. If one of those fails, it's an expensive repair and could cause an accident.

 

Yeah, I don't understand why the recall would not apply to mine since it's an '03, but I've seen similar post where their VIN # did not flag as a recall for this as well.