1. Welcome to 4Runners.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 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Lower Control Arm leaking grease

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Whiten44, Oct 1, 2019.

  1. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:14 PM
    #1
    Whiten44

    Whiten44 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2019
    Member:
    #11504
    Messages:
    3
    Hey all, new to the forum. I have a 2019 TRDOR I’ve been building out.

    Noticed this grease leaking around the cv axle/lower control arm while installing some RCI skids yesterday. See attached picture.

    I only have some Bilstein 6112’s up front with a 2” lift and 285/70r/17 tires, nothing really all that significant. Does anyone think Toyota will try and claim my aftermarket changes stressed the joints?

    I’ve only taken it out on mild off road forest service roads, etc. no rock crawling.

    Thank you for any input!

    8A34CCBB-7592-408E-9893-8C74B0505C80.jpg
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  2. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:37 PM
    #2
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2019
    Member:
    #9220
    Messages:
    2,575
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2019 Black T4R TRD Off Road Premium
    Wrangler Duratracs, center console organizer & trav all 1576 dog divider for the rear. Xpel wrap with ceramic coating. 20% tint on front windows. TRD intake. TRD oil cap Plus parts on shelf & a wish list.
    Welcome,
    Where is the grease coming from & how many miles on the vehicle?
    The dealership has to show that your modification caused the issue. If a steering rack (for example) were the cause. They could say the increase in power to move the "larger than stock tires".
    I would approach them with kindness. If under warranty. They get paid regardless.
    Hope it helps...
     
  3. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:41 PM
    #3
    Whiten44

    Whiten44 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2019
    Member:
    #11504
    Messages:
    3
    Thank you both for the replies. It seems the grease is coming from where the lower control arm is bolted to the frame. 10,000 miles on it since May (lots of national park road trips, 8 states).

    I’ll go with the super nice tactic and pray for the best.
     
  4. Oct 1, 2019 at 4:55 PM
    #4
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2019
    Member:
    #9220
    Messages:
    2,575
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2019 Black T4R TRD Off Road Premium
    Wrangler Duratracs, center console organizer & trav all 1576 dog divider for the rear. Xpel wrap with ceramic coating. 20% tint on front windows. TRD intake. TRD oil cap Plus parts on shelf & a wish list.
    If that joint is greasable then it may have been overfilled and need to be washed. However, I believe it is just a rubber bushing which shouldn't do that.
    If it were me; I would find the source of the leak (unless under warranty) or take it to an independent mechanic not the $tealership.
    Best of luck,
    Ryan.
     
  5. Oct 2, 2019 at 8:47 AM
    #5
    totmacher

    totmacher New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2018
    Member:
    #6100
    Messages:
    235
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Daniel
    West TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 Nautical Blue
    done some stuff to it
    There is no grease in the LCA bushing. It came from somewhere else.

    I think you need to crawl under and look around a bit more. Or if you don't want DIY, tell dealer you see oil drips and want to know where it's coming from.

    Is it grease or is it motor oil with road grime stuck to it?

    My first guess is whoever changed your oil spilled some and didnt clean up.

    Maybe when you had it aligned, they sprayed lube on the cam to make adjustment easier?

    Could it be oil from the front diff?

    Is it grease from CV boot?

    Number of possibilities.

    Edit: if you dont see active leaking, you could just clean the whole underside really well then watch to see if more comes out from somewhere in the next day or so.
     
    KSJ08, Strandskov and 4Runner fun like this.
  6. Oct 2, 2019 at 8:56 AM
    #6
    Whiten44

    Whiten44 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2019
    Member:
    #11504
    Messages:
    3
    Ahh gotcha. I wasn’t sure about that bushing. I’m a novice when it comes to mechanics of it all. I thought it was either that or the cv axle, but the boot isn’t torn or anything.

    it’s definitely grease. I cleaned a lot of it up before this picture.

    I’ll take better pics later and see what Toyota says later today.

    thank you for taking the time to reply with that info!
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  7. Oct 3, 2019 at 6:37 AM
    #7
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2019
    Member:
    #10131
    Messages:
    365
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    nassau bahamas
    Vehicle:
    2005 SR5
    Looks like (oil) it's coming from the front axle. There's a boot/seal in there. Probably broke. Shouldn't be too hard to fix.

    Could also be an oil leak from the oil filter / engine area? Get the oil filter washer/O ring on? Double O ring it?

    What's that "white" bag like doing in there?
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2019
  8. Nov 24, 2019 at 10:10 AM
    #8
    joshuahunter80

    joshuahunter80 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2019
    Member:
    #11451
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Offroad (KDSS) Midnight Black
    Stay Tuned!
    Have a similar issue. Grease/ fluid splattered around driver side only after lift install and alignment. Only 1,000 miles on truck. Looks like Sasquatch blew a snot rocket. Only thing I could think of was that the brake lines were leaking but the brake fluid res is still full. Maybe grease leaking from control arms? any help much appreciated.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top