A couple of notes...

When I chased my squeak down to the ball joint I dropped some motor oil through the cracked boot to confirm the squeak. Gone!

Then a more thorough check found about 1/4" vertical play. That I did NOT feel comfortable with so I changed it. Upon inspection when out there seemed to be plenty of "meat" (metal) still holding and it likely would have gone a while longer.

I still feel safer having replaced it right away though.