Jack up on side of the front of the car until one of the front tires is just off the ground. Grab a long prybar and a small block of wood to use as a fulcrum.
Slide the end of the pry under the tire and place the fulcrum under the prybar a few inches back from the tire.
Now, pry the tire upwards until you can hear and see the play in the lower ball joint. If they are worn bad, you will quickly see and hear the free play.
I've had Mood lower ball joints wear out completely in as little as 3-4 thousand miles. They are junk.