Grease on wheel: Bad lower BJ? Bad tie-rod end?

[camryr0cks]

All,

On my '98/V6 Camry I noticed my front left wheel had what looked like a build of some fluid which then attracted brake dust and debris. I peeked behind the wheel and snapped off a few shots.

From the pics, I *think* my lower ball-joint boot split and dumped its grease. I also think the upper tie-rod end might be leaking. For good measure I took an up-close of the CV joint as well. Not sure of the CV boot is properly on but I see no fluid leaking. I see no fluid leaks from the caliper or bleed valve.

I would *really* appreciate your feedback on all three, I plan a major overhaul and want to do everything at once.

Pic 1, lower BJ (circled) with grease also circled:


Pic 2, upper joint / tie-rod end:


Pic 3, close view of CV joint:

[Mister_Perkins]

yup, looks like the ball-joint boot is seeping. There are three things that you can do:

1.) Get a replacement boot (Make sure the ball joint is good still by placing a pry bar between the castle nut and the lower control arm and lifting up with the tire off the ground. if theres a popping clicking sound, its junk)
2.) Order a replacement ball joint, and have it on stand by and test the ball joint every once in a while until you notice its bad.
3.) Order a replacement ball joint, and have it immediately changed.

[camryr0cks]

First, thank you!

Secondly, does the upper tie-rod end look OK? Any preference for BJ joint (I'd rather just replace it) manufacturer? I've heard Moog is good, dunno if the Camry prefers a Japanese manufacturer or not.

Regards,
- camryr0cks.

[BMR]

Originally Posted by camryr0cks

Any preference for BJ joint (I'd rather just replace it) manufacturer? I've heard Moog is good, dunno if the Camry prefers a Japanese manufacturer or not.

You might wanna read this thread. 3-month old Moog Ball Joints (PICS) - BEWARE!

[pmesfun]

I would go with Toyota parts, if I remember correctly they are almost the same price as Moog.

Outer Tie-Rod End: 45046-29255 $35.81
Ball Joint: 43330-39435 $42.25

http://www.toyotapartszone.com/

[JohnGD]

Yeah, go with Toyota ball joints, after hearing what happened to those rusting Moogs.

IMO the amount of grease in the ball joint shouldn't cause that much dirt. Or would it? How's the outer CV joint on the other side. Maybe tire rotations hid the culprit? How's the condition of the wheel bearings?

[camryr0cks]

Ok, Toyota parts it is.

John: The CV boot near the wheel hub looks OK, but can you tell me if you think the boot clip should be closer to the dust seal? I haven't messed with the CVs on the Camry before, not sure what looks "normal".

The wheels on this car are new (remanufactured) so tire rotation isn't hiding it (hasn't been rotated since the new wheels were one). I would think if its a wheel bearing then I would see more grease elsewhere, but at this point my list of replacement parts is so big, I'm thinking of just adding wheel bearings, struts and CV joints and steering rack since the work to do all of it isn't too much more than just one alone (breaks are already on that list).

Any suggestions for quality CV joints or steering rack?

- camryr0cks.

[JohnGD]

The CV boot looks fine and so are the clamps. Looks like a GKN halfshaft? I'd reboot the halfshaft if you have the tools. I personally like to put Redline CV-2 synthetic grease in there after a thorough cleaning (yes disassembling everything). And that would be the best rebuilt you have, if the joints are not clicking or damaged in other ways.

Check between the wheel hub and steering knuckle and see if wheel bearing grease is leaking out of there. If not, then it must be from the ball joint only. I just didn't realize the ball joint has that much grease, but I may be wrong.

Rebuilt racks and halfshafts are iffy if you read the reviews, and dealer rebuilt prices are a joke. Maybe get a new aftermarket Cardone Select with lifetime warranty, so at least you don't have to turn in the core and can still work on rebooting it in your spare time.

[camryr0cks]

I don't think the ball-joint alone is the culprit, it seems like there's too much grease on the wheel for that. It looks like the steering rack is leaking on the driver's side (I'll clean the area with some Gunk cleaner and see if its wet to confirm) ; the "suspect" BJ / dirty wheel is also driver side.

- Can fluid make its way from the rack and peanut steering (thx Homer) to the tie-rod end?
- Do new Toyota wheel bearings (front or rear) need to be greased or are they "ready to rock"?
- Any suggestions on CV boots? (I'll guess OEM here). I'm hoping maybe I can find someone else to re-build the CVs

OT, I notice the previous generation Camry SM (thru -96) has much better explanations and more useful diagrams.

Thanks all,
- camryr0cks