Is my Lower ball joint toast?

A lot of grease seems to be seeping out. First picture is the driver side. Second is the passenger. From what I’ve read they are a pain the fix.

 

A good time to start thinking about replacing. Wait and see if Toyota has a 4th of July sale.

 

Not the answer I wanted to hear but it is what it is. I will wait and see how good their sale is. My truck is pulling a little to the driver side as well. Will probably just wait for an alignment until after I replace them.

 

Are they loose? I’d take in for an alignment. A good shop will check the front suspension for play before they do an alignment.

 

Wha? A little grease is nothing to be worried about. The joint is moving around and doing work, its fine. I'd check again in another 5 years

These aren't the old style 1st gen ones that like to come apart. 2nd gen and onward they flipped them over so the weight of the vehicle is helping to keep it pressed together instead of trying to pop it apart.

 

Sounds good, that’ll save me a couple hundred dollars as well lol

 

Seeping is no issue. A proper diagnosis or check for movement is a good idea though. When a lower ball joint on a 2nd or 3rd gen is bad you usually have other signs. Squeaking/creaking when turning, knocking feel, other noises.

If a ball joint has ANY up/down play or movement then it should be deemed bad. Can usually test this with a big ass pry bar.

 

There will be a lot of stuff to change if you’re changing it based on oil seep

engine
Transmission
Tcase

 

When the rubber around the ball joint fails then consider it the writing on the wall.

 

Also - the joint can be replaced without buying complete control arms as shown above.

 

I just ordered some new LCA online to replace the whole front end of my truck and they were on sale for 30 percent off which came out to 225 each if I remember right.

 

Yes, but it's a PIA. If the truck has at or above 100k miles, definitely recommend changing the complete arm. Less labor involved and you get new LCA bushings.

 

I bought them from amayama.com $27.56
https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4333009510