1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Ball joints? Leaky gunk...

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Czyzler, Jun 29, 2019.

  1. Jun 29, 2019 at 6:44 AM
    #1
    Czyzler

    Czyzler [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2018
    Member:
    #20490
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    Hey there. Wondering if anyone can tell me what would cause this leaky gunk. Been noticing some road noise so looked under the wheel well while checking the tires and saw this gunk leaking. Anyone tell me if this is normal or if it's maybe the ball joints? 20190628_194934.jpg 20190628_194914.jpg 20190628_194934.jpg 20190628_194914.jpg
     
  2. Jun 29, 2019 at 6:47 AM
    #2
    Black@Blue19

    Black@Blue19 Old Salt

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2018
    Member:
    #23066
    Messages:
    3,615
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ken
    SE Texas
    Vehicle:
    21 SR5 TSS Onroad, 24 Camaro 2SS 6.2 L
    To much to list:)
    The rubber boot is no worky anymore therefore it is not holding grease where it is suppose to. It will need replacing (the ball joint). It might be bad already, that might be the noise??
     
  3. Jun 29, 2019 at 6:50 AM
    #3
    915tundra

    915tundra New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2018
    Member:
    #20594
    Messages:
    103
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    LEE
    WEST TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TRD Pro
    They DO NOT need to be replaced!! Lol

    At the dealership we have a grease gun w/ a needle nozzle tip they stick in through the bottom and refills. This is very common, not to worry.
     
    JohnLakeman and NewImprovedRon like this.
  4. Jun 29, 2019 at 6:56 AM
    #4
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Member:
    #19579
    Messages:
    2,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tundra TRD Sport
    This is completely normal. A little seepage on these is fine.its grease that’s applied externally of the sealed joint from the factory. All tundras do this. No need to worry.
     
    NewImprovedRon and 915tundra like this.
  5. Jun 29, 2019 at 7:26 AM
    #5
    Czyzler

    Czyzler [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2018
    Member:
    #20490
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    Thanks guys. Much appreciated.
     
  6. Jun 29, 2019 at 8:54 AM
    #6
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2015
    Member:
    #1829
    Messages:
    9,387
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    So you guys poke a hole in the boot or some how get the needle up under the boot?
     
    mojojo likes this.
  7. Jun 29, 2019 at 9:00 AM
    #7
    Danman34

    Danman34 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Member:
    #19579
    Messages:
    2,231
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tundra TRD Sport
    It’s just a cover. It’s not sealed.
     
  8. Jun 29, 2019 at 2:13 PM
    #8
    mojojo

    mojojo New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2018
    Member:
    #17577
    Messages:
    195
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement SR5 CM

    There's no zerk fitting to apply grease as a maintenance measure - which would imply no maintenance should be necessary. If you have a factory service manual stating to apply grease in the fashion you've described and the intervals, I'd be curious to see that.

    That being said, my driver's side has leaked since new. My passenger side is bone dry. I think this speaks to a quality aspect of the Toyota ball joint, whether it be in design, or assembly practices.

    With a sealed ball joint, losing any amount of lubricant will no doubt lead to premature wear and therefore failure.

    *I'm not saying that I necessarily disagree with what you're doing at your dealership, but I do think it should not be necessary as a maintenance measure - otherwise there'd be zerk fittings. Which means that under the warranty period, you may very well be dealing with a defect (this could be argued even further by the fact that only one side on my vehicle leaks). Furthermore, using a grease needle certainly opens the possibility for puncturing the boot, resulting in contamination of the joint or an increased amount of leakage and everything that goes with that.
     
    Black@Blue19 and 15whtrd like this.
  9. Jun 29, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #9
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2015
    Member:
    #1829
    Messages:
    9,387
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    White 2015 Tundra DC SR5 TRD 4x4 5.7L, White 2003 Sequoia 2WD
    TRD Pro suspension, +2 Coachbuilder shackles, 2015 TRD Pro headlights, 20% ceramic tinted windows, clear ceramic tinted front windshield, aFe drop in pro s dry air filter, TRD airflow accelerator, TRD oil fill cap, TRD 18 psi radiator cap, BDX Bullydog tuner, Weathertech floor mats front and rear, rear seat fold down mod, DNA hard trifold tonneau cover, Linex with uv protection, TRD rear swaybar, TRD center caps, TRD Pro grille insert with color matching surround and bulge, TRD PRO headlights, aluminum oil filter canister, Real truck tailgate seal, Pop-n-lock tailgate lock actuator, rear diff breather relocate, RCI front skid plate. 275/70 R18 BFG KO2s
    I really don’t see how anyone could poke a needle grease fitting up under the boot without tearing a hole in it. I could see maybe hooking a small hole and filling it with grease. Then maybe smearing some rubber cement or RTV over that hole. Then in the future feeling that off and refilling with grease as needed.

    Both of my upper ball joints have seeped a little grease out since very early on in the trucks life. I don’t think I’ve ever owned a vehicle that didn’t have a little LOL. I want to say they may be over packed from the factory and that loses out until it’s about right. At least that’s what I hope LOL
     

Products Discussed in

To Top