I just got an alignment and car hasn't seemed right.
Took it in for right pull, but it still pulls, and now the steering
seems off altogether. At times it seems to go straight and other times
pulls erratically. Normally I would suspect a worn part but it doesnt
seem to be an issue on these cars especially with only 40k miles.

I was checking everything I could and discovered some grease on the tie rod. Please tell me if this is normal or if it indicates a problem.
I've tested for play as best as I can but there is none that I can observe.
I'm just wondering if it's possible to damage this during alignment, or if it's normal for a little grease to seep out. Pics of both sides for comparison.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_joint

This is not helpful. I wasn't looking for a part name or how it works.
The question, again, is about grease from it being on the tie rod end, only on one side, as shown in the photos. Does it indicate damage?

When loosening the jam nut to set toe is it necessary to hold the tie rod still so it doesn't rock forward on the ball joint? If not held could this twisting force damage the ball joint? I'm thinking maybe that's what happened, and maybe it squeezed some grease from the boot when it was oriented at a sharp angle.

The side showing grease is the only side that was adjusted during alignment, so I'm just trying to understand why I see ball joint grease there now.

sorry about that, i had too much faith....

ok so, the BALL JOINT is supposed is sealed and part of the reason is to keep the lubrication IN and dirt OUT.
once it starts losing lubrication (and possible dirt/etc introduction) the ball joint will degrade, and eventually fail, and needs to be replaced. that is what is called 'a bad ball joint'

and yes, when working with tie rods, you are supposed to put a wrench on the tie rod when tightening/loosening the jam nut. there should be a flat surface on the tie rod to install an open ended wrench.

Good info. I watched and the tie rod wasn't held. The top of the boots they aren't really sealed. Overlapping rubber lips but not sealed. At full tilt tie rod hits the boot and I think this squeezed a little grease out.

Looks like I'm taking it back to see what they have to say about it

Inspect the leaking unit for a cut in the boot. Grease does not usually squirt out of the boot even at extreme angles. While it is possible it was damaged during alignment, it's pretty unlikely. Yes, there are flats on the tie rod end so you can hold it while you loosen/tighten the jam nut, but even at the limits of flex, no grease should come out of the boot.

It is also pretty unlikely this is the source of your handling issues. Odds are the tires are the primary issue, unless they really screwed the pooch on the alignment. It's possible they did - can you post the settings they used?