Took a lower ball joint to Orielly's (parts store) to look for a new dust boot, and the guy said it was bad, and should be replaced...
it can be moved around easily, and feels smooth.
My truck showed no symptoms of bad ball joints before tearing in to replace the cv boot.
I have never had any experience with ball joints, and have spent a ton on these cv boots considering the other stuff I have had to buy to do them.
TIA,
Norm

87 raider 2.6
5-speed manual