Hi Everyone,

I am about to embark on a front suspension/steering maintenance journey. Before I jump in, I have a couple of questions.

My LBJ's and Outer Tie Rod Ends are showing signs of wear (leaking grease). The grease doesn't look fresh or wet, but it is caked on with dirt and debris. However, I can detect absolutely no play in the LBJ's or tie rods. Should I still replace?

Also, my bushings for my LCA seem shot. THey look eroded and heavily worn. Has anyone replaced these? Did it seem to tighten up things?

Lastly, my passenger CV axle has been spewing grease for a while, and the boot finally tore last week. Now the axle makes a clicking noise when the tire is rotated. Does this mean the joint is shot and that I should replace the entire axle or should I try to overhaul it with new grease and boots?

Thanks for the help!

Wow - 50 views and no help.

To check your ball joits and tie rod ends fro actual wear. To check lower ball joint. Lift your truck up in the air. Stick a large crow bar under the tire and try to lift up on the tire. If the tire moves up without the suspension moving then the ball joint is worn out. If there is no play then all is good. Another way to test it is when you replace your cv axle half, you can check your ball joints then. If the move around freely (no tension) then they are worn out.

To check the tie rod ends. Lift vehicle, grab front tire and try to steer the tire by hand. If you feel any play, then one of the joints is bad. You will have to look at the joints to see which one is has the play.

The LCA. If the look shot, (rubber separating, severe dry rot, or swollen up because of oil leaks) they are probably shot. Buy new bushings and use a press or a heavy duty vise to remove and install new bushings.

Thanks for the advice. So I performed those simple tests and could detect no play in the ball joints/tie rods. I was just concerned about the grease around each component. Does that worry you, or is it only a concern if there is play?

You should be able to throughly check them when you replace the half shafts. As for the grease seepage, it is what it is. Gravity pulls grease down, the joint is pretty much sealed, warm weather hot brakes will cause pressure to build up in the boot and the excess pressure squeezes a little grease out.

As long as the boot is not cracked and it is not letting water and dirt in, you should be fine.