That looks like the original with the staked edge. Holy crap! How many miles on it?
It was the original I couldn't believe it, it had the staked edges that needed punched in to remove. Almost 298,000 miles on it.
Then I started thinking, how long has it been bad? But I have inspections and alignments done at the dealer now, on purpose so they alert me to things that need changed. You know how they are, the slightest wiggle on anything and it's "this needs fixed, $500 and it's all better". And then of course I tell them ok I'll take care of it. I felt guilty about going to a local mechanic about this, even started giving him extra cash but knew I was becoming that pain in the a$$ customer that he doesn't make any money on.
Since my teenage son is the primary driver of this vehicle, this could be a factor
I'm guessing he might have been a little aggressive on it and that ball joint cratered out the top. Has anyone seen that before? I knew something else was out of wack on the suspension, it wasn't just a bad wheel bearing(growling and abs at low speeds), but man this thing was close to failing I think. Raised the wheel, put a crowbar underneath it and boy did it wobble, an alarming amount. I drove it to work the next day, carefully avoiding any potholes and then stopped at napa to buy a new ball joint on the way home, for once I didn't even consider price.
Because of that cratered top, this thing was a PIA to get out, basically the top was gone! here is what it looks like removed:
The "normal" 4 wheel drive ball joint kit doesn't fit these, once I put the new one on I will show a pic why. Most people know this on here anyway.
Air hammer no luck as well, I finally got the torch out, had to heat up the control arm outer circle to cherry red and put a useless 12 point socket in there, and proceeded to beat it out. (jack under control arm to give stability) Had to use heat a few times! At least I got some frustrations out after watching the bills lose that football game