Lower Ball Joint

Does this Lower Ball Joint look like it needs to be replaced? The driver side looks the same. I tried moving the tire with prybar to see if there is any play and I didn't see any movement. Last time I took the truck in for oil change, the shop said LBJ's are fine. Thanks!

 

Have they ever been replaced, or are they original? They should be replaced every ~70k regardless of how they look.

 

Leaking - Replace them.

To check, see this vid:
https://youtu.be/tzi_FNC5hJw

 

Looks like they were replaced at 45,000 under warranty according previous owners records. I do not think they have been replaced since. I purchased the truck at 190,000 and have 214,000 currently.

Looks like best option is to replace, but curious if the boot in the pic indicate that its leaking?

 

After further inspection, it looks like the boot is split open. This means contamination is likely & it would be better to replace than reboot.
do you have a clearer/closer picture? w/ flash?

 

I'll take a better pic with a light source. Thanks!

 

Here is a video of me testing it with a prybar. It doesn't look to me that it has any play.

 

For the grease loss and age alone I'd replace them. Get new bolts too.

 

Just replace them as well as the bolts.

Go OEM.

/thread

 

If you're saying those LBJ have over 210k on them, you are well on borrowed time. They need to be replaced regardless of movement or grease. It's a simple job. They fail without warning. The lucky ones are going slow when it happens.

 

I would replace them given the leak. Seems like they're overdue based on mileage anyway.

 

Thanks everyone!! I'll replace for sure!

 

May start to squeeke a lot cracked like that with dirt and debree getting into them. doesnt hurt to just get new ones and not have to worry about it

 

I just replaced my LBJs last week, and it was pretty easy. Good guide here if you need it: https://adventuretaco.com/guide/ste...s-lbj-on-a-1st-gen-tacoma-or-3rd-gen-4runner/

 

I like @turbodb's write up. The only thing I disagree with is his note -

Dan always (and I mean ALWAYS) churns out the very best write-ups, trip reports, guides. After Leon's (Spiker Engineering) research and tests on the lower ball joint bolts, I am sticking with the black w/washer and using the dust cover. No offense Dan

 

As it seems you have newer gen trucks, you may or may not be aware, the 1st gen trucks have a lower ball joint design that is prone to failure without warning. So while you're advice and experience might be ok for 2nd or 3rd gen trucks with a different design, it's not suitable for the OP in this case. There is a legitimate concern with 1st gen ball joints after a certain mileage (~70k) where it passes the casual way which you suggested to replace them, and enters more of a, every mile over 70k you are just flying closer and closer to the sun realm.

 

Been multiple LBJ failures in the Facebook 1st Gen group lately. Creepin' me out seeing those pics.

 

We need a sticky thread here to catalog the carnage and act as sufficient encouragement to change them out in a timely fashion.

 

the 1st gen Tacoma FB page literally has a half dozen posts about them failing on someone every day and people still don't get the hint

 

Good info. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about that because I have a 2000. No covers for me.