Damaged Grease points

[newfiecharger]

Hi,

Was greasing the points on my 05 Silverado and broke/bust 6 of the 11 rubbers that the grease go into. Should I be worried about this? Should I keep them greased as much as possible even though there damaged?

 

[ChiTDI]

"rubbers" ?
Did you bust the Zerk fittings that attach to the grease gun?
If so, they simply screw out. New ones thread in.

 

[ChiTDI]

You might want to move this to Maintenance/Repair - you'll probably get more response.

 

[demarpaint]

Sounds like he busted the rubber boots. Too much grease forced into a fitting will break the rubber boots. There is no way to fix the boot, the joint would have to be replaced. My suggestion would be to grease the fittings every 5000 miles, and check them for wear from dirt getting into them. When they wear out replace them.

If you broke the Zerk fittings just buy new ones and replace them.

 

[newfiecharger]

Did not damage the zerks. I damaged the plastic/rubber that surroung the ball joint. The grease is coming out at that point.

 

[newfiecharger]

How to I move this topic to Maintenance/Repair?

 

[ChiTDI]

newfie- moving the thread is just a simple request to the moderator, he'll do it. Use "Notify" in the bottom right corner of the post.
The rubber boots that hold in the grease can still work for a while if you ruptured them. Just do as demarpaint suggested, keep dirt out and the joint lubed every 5k with a watchful eye.
They can last a lifetime like that.

 

[newfiecharger]

thanks for the info. I'll keep an eye on it and ask moderator to move to Maintenance/Repair

 

[Junior]

And the life lesson here is that more grease isn't better when it comes to ball joints. Usually one pump from the gun is enough. I learned that lesson the hard way many moons ago.

 

[NYEngineer]

Depending on what kind of car it is, Energy Suspension makes Poly boots to replace torn rubber ones. I used them on my truck after I needed to remove a tie rod end. They seal up real nice.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: NYEngineer
Depending on what kind of car it is, Energy Suspension makes Poly boots to replace torn rubber ones. I used them on my truck after I needed to remove a tie rod end. They seal up real nice.


That's good to know. I have a ripped boot (upper ball joint) on my Aerostar and searched high and low for a replacement boot and was told they didn't exist. I just keep it greased, its been that way for a very long time, and is still fine.

 

[another Todd]

Newer boots are sealed, and you don't grease them until grease gushes out like you did in older vehicles. Typically, if you push on the rubber boot and it is spongy like a balloon, then it has enough grease and more shouldn't be required. Now that they are ripped, you will have to grease more often as grease will keep escaping. You could try cleaning off the boot with a rag and brakeclean, then dab a little RTV silicone on it to seal the hole.

 

[newfiecharger]

I'll try the RTV silicone to try and seal the hole.

 

[mechtech2]

A lot of fittings 'leak'.
I consider this normal.
Where else is the grease supposed to go but out somewhere?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: newfiecharger
I'll try the RTV silicone to try and seal the hole.


If it's a small hole the silicone might just work, I'd give it a try. If the boot is ripped it won't work. Just stay on top of it and keep it greased you'll be fine.

 

[mechtech2]

RTV silicone is a very good idea. Clean the surrounding area DRY with no grease first.

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

What kind of car? Some makes have vents in the rubber boots. When over filled, the vents open and allow excess grease to come out, then they reseal. You may not have hurt the boots.

 

[newfiecharger]

Originally Posted By: Oldmoparguy1
What kind of car? Some makes have vents in the rubber boots. When over filled, the vents open and allow excess grease to come out, then they reseal. You may not have hurt the boots.


It a 05 Silverado 4x4. The rubber boots don't have vents as far as I know...