Symptoms: car shakes when driving, front right tire makes a knocking almost popping noise when going over bumps.
Lug nuts are tight, air pressure is good, lower control arm is good.
Could the problem be tire rod or ball joint?... I took off the tire but i didnt know what to look for or where to look. Any ideas?
97 grand am gt. fwd. v6.

Sounds like it could be your struts or tie rod ends. Jack up your car and remove the tire, try to moving the outer tie rod end. Should not have any play or wobble.

or better yet, leave the wheel on there so you have more leverage.

I would agree with leaving the tire on, it just makes it easier to move the tie rod end(s). You'll see if its sloppy/loose could possibly hear it too knockin.

Though your shaking could be a busted belt in one of your tires.
Could also be the sway bar bushings loose either on the cradle or the ends where it bolts to the lower control arm.

Good Hunting

For me it was easier to have the tire off, but the tie rod ends were very bad. They were very loose and had a lot of play.