Good post & reminder. Good thing you caught it. These old trucks definitely need frequent safety inspections.
It wasn't too long ago that I was zipping around some back country roads in a 72 Karmann Ghia when the left lower ball joint let loose. Thankfully I was going very slow at the time as I lost all steering and the nose dived makeing ground contact.
I don't zip the 3100 around like that but it sure sounds and feels like it at 40 mph

Dave