UPDATE: Thanks for all the info on the 16 mm ball joints everyone. I jacked up the driver's side last night (were I have been having issues since 49K miles, now at 95K miles) and checked the ball joints, upper and lower the way I saw mechanics checking them on youtube, getting leverage and trying to get movement on the ball joint. They seem to be perfectly tight. No movement whatsoever... I have just had very poor handling in this car since I have owned it and thought they were contributing to it.
I put new springs (eibach), new OEM struts all around, new rack and pinion, and had new tires on at 60K miles including alignment. Tires are shot 2 years later from wearing badly and vibration/sloppy bouncy non-composed ride continues. I know my rear sway bar end links are loose and I am doing that next but I really thought the front ball joints would have had something to do with the sucky front end handling. Tie rod ends seem fine to??? IDK but I plan on keeping the LS for at least another 2 years and want it to be safe. BTW I had a Gen I lowered with comparable miles so I know how these cars are supposed to handle. Any advice would be appreciated.