Leaking UCA?

Sorry guys, Im still a noob in a lot of categories.
So, I was just outside washing my truck and noticed that there seems to be some grease seeping from the UCA. Is this normal?

 

@ColoradoTJ

 

Im not sure. I looked online and couldnt find anything. I haven't touched the UCA's and the truck only has 12k on it. The other side looks the same too. There isn't a lot of grease coming out, but it definitely is seeping a little bit because if I touch the boot, my fingers get greasy.

 

Here's another picture. Like I said, it's not gushing grease or anything but you can see that it has a little build up of grease and grime.

 

Would that require new UCAs to fix?

 

Mine started seeping a little after the lift. @LOTSOFTOYS said it's normal and not to worry about it.

 

Thanks everyone. Im a sensitive little girl about this truck. It took a long time and a lot of promotions in order to be able to afford it. Even though it seems to be normal, I may end up just getting a pair of SPC, Camburg or Total Chaos UCA's and be done with it sometime in the future.

 

Kevin,
If it makes you feel better I worked on a few trucks with this same issue.
Some were at 5-6k miles and and obvious grease build up around it.
One of the owners was able to get warranty on them.
The others just replaced it w/ new UCA.

 

It does thanks. I did a lot of reading last night and it seems like there are a ton of guys with the same issue and so it's considered "normal". Someone recommended just getting a needle fitting and keeping the boot full of grease. I'll probably do that until I'm ready for some UCAs. Now I have to decide uniball vs bj...

 

So.. if the actual joint has a ton of play then it is bad..
If it's nice and stiff (but still pivots) its good.
Definitely grease it if there is no more grease in the boot though..

 

I'll check it during my lunch break. I looked at the boot pretty good last night and couldn't see any rips or tears. If I squeezed the boot, I could tell that it was seeping at the very bottom of the boot. Both sides have the same amount of grease on the outside. Do I need to load up the boots with grease?
Hopefully the joints aren't bad. Like I said, it has 12k miles most of which highway.

 

From the picture you posted it looks like good amount of grease caked up. Not so sure how you can squeeze some grease in there without removing the original boot clamp.. OEM doesnt have any zerks to squeeze em in.
If you have some time bring it in to the dealer. Should be covered under 3-36k warranty.

 

I just called the nearest dealership and he told me it was normal and then went on to tell me that it's NOT normal and that I'd have to bring it in. He also told me my 6112s woods void the warranty on them

 

Yeah, they would more than likely void it.a cool .
Unless you put it back to stock and bring it in... at this point its not even worth it.

 

did it start happening after you installed the bilstein ?

 

Yes. I threw them on with when it had 5k on the odometer. But then again, I wasn't really even paying attention to it so I have so idea when I started

 

Yeah I think the joints are fine. I wasn't planning on doing anything until October to the truck. If it's just the boots sweating a little bit, I'll just inject grease in there until I get some UCAs.

 

Just checked the ball joints and everything is nice and tight.
I cleaned everything up and it honestly was more grime than grease. I went to Joshua Tree earlier this month so it was mostly just caked on sand. I noticed that if I lift up on the boot, it creates a VERY small gap at the bottom. It does this consistently all the way around the boot on both sides where the grease can possibly come out. To me, it doesn't look blown, ripped or torn at all.

I also called the dealership that I bought my truck from and they said that a lot of them "sweat" grease from the bottom like that. I also called Les Schwab (my previous employer) because they are honestly one of the only reputable shops that I know I can trust and they said the same thing.

On tundra talk, Coachbuilder recommended to someone else who had the exact same problem to get a syringe fitting for my grease gun and keep it lubed up. I think I will go ahead and do that until I and my wallet are ready for some UCA's. I just don't like spending money at all if I honestly don't need to.

Anyways, sorry for the long post. If anyone has any additional experience (since mine is limited) I am all ears. Here is funny groin-shot video for your troubles:

 

That video

 

Mine looked exactly like yours at 9k miles. Was riding on 2.5" spacer up front. Upgraded to 6112 last week and installed SPC UCAs at the same time so it's no longer an issue. I highly recommend the SPC UCAs! Super easy install and the price was right during a group buy on Tacoma World last month.

 

Yeah, the wife gave me the go-ahead if I want to do it. Im debating now between the SPC's and the Total Chaos uniballs.

 

A small amount of grease seepage is normal on that joint. I have had mine out of the A-arm, and the boot does not give a 100% tight seal. There is a wire ring that seals the top portion of the boot and the bottom is pretty much just a snug fit. Toyota sometimes directly does not install zirk fitting in certain joints so when they wear out you come to the dealer and replace the whole UCA. FYI.......Moog does make a replacement BJ with a greasable fitting in it. I think Camburg has them on their site too......

 

Is your wife asking about the uca's? If so , yes

 

Certainly get it checked if uncomfortable, but it is normal, and here is why. When you turn, the spindle rotates, but the actual boot on your upper control arm does not, creating a wear point. The ball joint boot is designed with a "valve" that lubes the junction at the spindle/boot contact point, so the grease there is inevitable, even with aftermarket ones. Rest is my opinion, do not try to grease sealed ball joints, not necessary, and will shorten life. I have used greasable Moogs, and the O.E. always lasted longer for me.

 

Thanks for all the help you guys. I hate spending money on repairs, but I love spending money on mods. The fact that it sounds like a normal thing actually makes me more in the mood to open up the wallet and get some TC UCAs.