Is this ball joint my problem?

[Nothinghead]

I’ve been experiencing an annoying mild but audible click/clunk coming from the front end. This happens at low speeds, mostly when turning. It even happens when turning the wheels in park (on top of a couple of sheets of cardboard to reduce unnecessary forces). I’m unable to reproduce it with the wheel in the air, trying to elicit play with hands at 3 and 9 or at 12 and 6.

I don’t think it’s cv joints (clicking when not rolling). I wonder about inner toe rods but probably need a second hands on opinion.

On visual inspection, the only thing I can see is leaking lower ball joint boots:

Driver’s side:

Passenger’s side:

LX is 2017, has 116,000 miles. AHC lift. 295/70R18

The sound seems to coming from PS but the DS LBJ looks to have leaked more.

Does a LBJ make a clicking noise when it’s on its way out?

 

[RTaylor]

Make sure your LCA cam bolts are tight. When mine loosen up, they act like you’re describing.

PS- my LBJs have looked like yours for as long as I can remember.

 

[Nothinghead]

Make sure your LCA cam bolts are tight. When mine loosen up, they act like you’re describing.

PS- my LBJs have looked like yours for as long as I can remember.

Thanks. I’ll take a look. If that’s the case, it probably means I need a new alignment, right?

 

[bloc]

PS- my LBJs have looked like yours for as long as I can remember.

Same.

Really hard to judge ball joint condition on appearance alone.

OP maybe try forcing the knuckle into different directions using a prying implement against the LCA. Beyond that I'd suggest getting ahold of a set of chassis ears.. sortof the easy button for tracking down noises like this.

 

[doru]

OP maybe try forcing the knuckle into different directions using a prying implement against the LCA. Beyond that I'd suggest getting ahold of a set of chassis ears.. sortof the easy button for tracking down noises like this.

^this the prybar.

 

[Nothinghead]

Thank you all for the good advice. My alignment cam bolts were about three clicks below torque spec (207 lb-ft) but that didn’t resolve the annoying click.

I also retorqued the bolts for my skids and found two that were one full turn loose. That was the sound! Now I can empty my parts shopping carts of ball joints and tie rods and sleep easily.