ball joints don't show play up and down, unless you have pry bar on em and its a pull size truck. If they do then there TOTALLY shot, they show it side to side, hence the 12 o clock and 6 o clock check and the 3 o clock and 9 o clock check. Almost all ball joints out there now are load carrying ball joints, and if thats the case you stick a freakin pry bar in there on top of a shake down. Where do you work so i know to never bring a car there (no offense, just to whoever taught you)