[W126 Coupe] question about ball joints

[Gary]

going down a decline on the freeway at high speeds when i apply the brakes the front wheels shake alot.   i looked underneath and the right lower ball joint has some of the rubber cover torn off.  what could that mean...joint is bad...i moved the tire back and forth and it maybe moved an 1/8th, maybe 1/16 th of an inch.  

also noticed a bar that runs from the bottom of the wheel assembly, kinda of underneath the spring, then goes back into the frame, the rubber there is also deteriorated.  both sides have this bar.  would this be the idler arm

as usual thanks for your help.  
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