Lower Control Arm/Ball Joint Help

I just upgraded the suspension on my 2013 access cab (TRD Off-Road, IDK if that matters). I went with King 2.5s with reservoirs all around. New leaf pack (ICON RXT Option 3), Bump Stops, and new UCAs.






I took the truck in to a trusted shop with a guy that knows Toyotas pretty well to get it aligned today and he pointed out that my Lower Control Arm Ball Joints are leaking as a result of the install and reccomended new LCAs.



I'm new to suspension, so I wanted to get some opinions on if I do in fact need new LCAs, or if maybe I did something wrong on the install.

I've also been digging around and some folks are saying I can just get longer ball joints for my LCAs?

Any advice is welcomed. Thanks.

 

Leaking is fine, they likely "burped" during the suspension install. They havent failed because a little bit of grease came out.

Toyota 2nd gen + Lower ball joints are stout and only need to be replaced when the ball joint has play. If it was a 1st gen I'd suggest it.

You check ball joints by unloading the suspension using a jack on the lower control arm and prying upwards on the tire to see if theres play.

 

Mine look just like yours. They have zero play and have been that way for a while. As @Bishop84 said, check them to make sure there isn’t play on the unit. I check mine every oil change.

 

Thanks for the help! Would there be any benefit outside of being beefier to upgrading to Dirt King LCAs?

Would it create a better angle for my CV Axles or take some of the pressure off of the ball joints?

 

Those ball joints are probably fine. Mine had alittle grease seeping out at 150k. Not the fault of your Kings.

OEM tend to be tough and low maintenance. Beck & Arnley, by most accounts, seem to be the closest or identical to OEM.

One thing with those Kings, some users report a clunk in the front which seems to resolve by switching the lower shock bolt over to the bolt used in 5th gen 4Runners as it has a larger shoulder that eliminates play on the kings lower bushing.