does leaking ball joints equal about to fail, and if so how soon?

[BrianSD_42]

Like the title says .....

Just replaced my UCAs on Friday and drove less than 100 miles now ONE of my ball joints is leaking. It wasn't before the change, I'm sure of it since I looked under the truck last week.

These are Toyota Ball Joints with about 70k miles and they were installed in mid 2008.

I actually had them tested 2 weeks ago (not leaking at that time) by mechanic and he found no concerning play, said they were good.

1. does leaking ball joints equal about to fail, and if so how soon?

2. I need to drive at least 100 miles this weekend so I can get smogged on Tuesday. Battery was disconnected and I cant smog until I drive further. Plan would be to drive the miles then on Tuesday do the smog and possibly new ball joints if needed. Does that sound crazy?

Pic attached.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

Yeah I would replace them, because if all the grease drips out it's like riding around with no oil in your engine, it's going to build a lot of heat and friction. Starts wearing out faster

 

[IBallEngineer]

Like the title says .....


1. does leaking ball joints equal about to fail, and if so how soon?

99 miles, or then it turns in to a "Gulp"... Jeep

 

[Richard808]

I just wanna make note that some replacement LBJ's can be greased. The boot itself has a nipple like spot that has a slit that allows grease to come out. I cant tell from your pic but if yours are grease able. Its possible that your mechanic greased them and as your ball joint moves during driving it pushes the excess grease out.

 

[amalik]

100 miles? Aren't you about to drive a lot more than 100 miles down to MOAB?

The LBJ's can't be bad, 70k is nothing!

Maybe the boot got slit?

 

[shootmymime]

Your fine!

 

[BrianSD_42]

100 miles? Aren't you about to drive a lot more than 100 miles down to MOAB?

The LBJ's can't be bad, 70k is nothing!

Maybe the boot got slit?

Well thanks but I don't want to drive 12 hours to Moab and go break and LBJ on the trail.

I think the OEM LBJ are sealed but im not sure.

 

[JBurt]

every oem ball joint I've seen is sealed.

I think you'd be okay making it till Tuesday before replacing

 

[LittleCaesar]

You will be fine for the smog test.

However, I wouldn't drive to Moab on it, or even out of CA. $80 from Camel and gets to ya in the next day? If the bolts are original, replace them also.

Stock or aftermarket UCA? Or did you just replace the bushings?

 

[BrianSD_42]

So the plan will be to replace them Tues. Kind of sucks because I need to pack up on Tuesday night and leave on Wednesday around noon. No time to even attempt to do it myself.

 

[Srabai]

I drove my 94 C-1500 around with leaking ball joints for almost 4 years but I know they're a lot different than our trucks. Given their tendency to fail, I'd probably replace them. If you're in a pinch, oreilles has the moogs for sale and I've been running them for almost 12,000 miles with no issues yet.

 

[red-runner]

That sucks. Pretty sure they'll be alright for 100 miles. May as well do both sides, if they are from 2008. I assume you'll get aligned as well, so may as well only do it once, and be done for a while.

Man, have a great time in Moab. Be safe and post pics/videos. Wish I could go.

 

[JBurt]

oreilles has the moogs for sale and I've been running them for almost 12,000 miles with no issues yet.

and I ran them for 3 months and 1200 miles and they crapped out. Do you like playing roulette?

 

[Srabai]

and I ran them for 3 months and 1200 miles and they crapped out. Do you like playing roulette?

Not particularly, I just checked their website again and found that they're no longer offered. I wonder why.

 

[Myrunr2010]

has anyone installed or had any luck with the masterpro LBJ's from o'reillys? they're half the price as the other ones and also have a lifetime warrenty. I wouldn't really consider it if they didn't have a lifetime warrenty.

 

[txbonds]

EDIT. DOH - ignore me. Just realized it's the UCA you replaced. Sorry.




Did you replace yourself or have a shop do it?

Maybe I'm missing something but if that's a new ball joint with only 100 miles on it why is it rusted like hell all over out by the tie rod ends?

 

[JBurt]

The autozone ones have a life time warranty and mine went bad after six months. I replaced both with OEM. They been on for over a year and no problems.

Too important of a part to cheap out on.

 

[BrianSD_42]

The lifetime warranty is a gimmick. It only applies to the original owner, doesn't cover labor and they know MOST Americans don't keep their vehicles very long.

Hundai and KIA offer warranties that exceed Toyota in months. So what. Its a gimmick to trick buyers into believing the part will last as long as OEM.

 

[Myrunr2010]

The autozone ones have a life time warranty and mine went bad after six months. I replaced both with OEM. They been on for over a year and no problems.

Too important of a part to cheap out on.

What went bad about them? You didn't want to just take them back on warrenty?

 

[JBurt]

The boot was torn and cracked in several places, and there wasn't any grease inside. Not that the grease was gone, it was never there. It was dry.

I didn't want to warranty them out because if the company didn't bother to grease them and used rubber that cracked open in a few months, why should I trust the safety of my family and my rig on their crappy parts. Just my opinion. Everyone has their own.