What type of device is required for checking ball joints and wheel play?

When checking ball joints and wheel play, a vehicle lift or jack is necessary because it allows the technician to raise the vehicle off the ground, providing access to the wheels and suspension components. This elevation is essential for accurately assessing the condition of ball joints and detecting any looseness or wear in the wheel assembly.

With the vehicle lifted, the technician can manually check for play by moving the wheels in various directions and inspecting the ball joints and other related parts. This method ensures that weight is removed from the suspension system, allowing for an accurate evaluation of any movement or abnormality.

Other tools, such as a tire pressure gauge, a hand-held measuring tool, or a fluid level gauge, are not suited for this specific inspection. A tire pressure gauge is used for verifying tire inflation; a hand-held measuring tool might be useful in other contexts but does not facilitate the necessary lifting; and a fluid level gauge is designed for checking fluids, not mechanical components like ball joints. Hence, a vehicle lift or jack is the appropriate equipment for this task.