My service records show I've been averaging 40-50k mi with sealed ball joints on my Ford Escorts. I recently installed Moog K8773 lower ball joints with zerk fittings as the latest replacement. I have a Lincoln pneumatic grease gun filled with a tube of moly EP grease. I'm wondering how often I should be greasing these up. I was thinking every oil change (7500 mi). Thoughts?
Mileage to grease ball joints
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That sounds good to me. I do my greaseable stuff every tire rotation, so about that.
If the boots are not leaking then every 30k will be fine. The issue is when the grease runs out it dries up and that's the problem. If its not leaking adding more can damage the boot and shorten its life. One of the reasons for sealed joints was people over greased them and the boots blew out.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
Be careful not to overfill and rupture the boot. If you do keep on going from experience. Then try to shoot some in every oil change.
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Originally Posted By: Jimzz
If the boots are not leaking then every 30k will be fine. The issue is when the grease runs out it dries up and that's the problem. If its not leaking adding more can damage the boot and shorten its life. One of the reasons for sealed joints was people over greased them and the boots blew out.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
What? The boots have grease exits. You're supposed to purge the old grease which carries out the grit with it. That's the whole point.
If the boots are not leaking then every 30k will be fine. The issue is when the grease runs out it dries up and that's the problem. If its not leaking adding more can damage the boot and shorten its life. One of the reasons for sealed joints was people over greased them and the boots blew out.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
What? The boots have grease exits. You're supposed to purge the old grease which carries out the grit with it. That's the whole point.
So how do you purge the old grease? In my case I just put too much and rubber boot burst open and is basically not helping at all now.
I just greased the ball joint boots while I held one finger against the boot. Once it felt firm I stopped. There was one old greaseable tie rod end which had a dry rotted boot that burst right away. It looked overdue for replacement anyway.
Some ball joints have rubber nipples to purge old grease, or to let out excess grease.
What I don't get is that some of the MAS suspension parts I just installed on my Toyota truck are greasable, yet they are double wire sealed on top and bottom of the rubber seal, and already come loaded with grease. This type will definitely tear the rubber if overfilled.
What I don't get is that some of the MAS suspension parts I just installed on my Toyota truck are greasable, yet they are double wire sealed on top and bottom of the rubber seal, and already come loaded with grease. This type will definitely tear the rubber if overfilled.
Originally Posted By: KingCake
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
If the boots are not leaking then every 30k will be fine. The issue is when the grease runs out it dries up and that's the problem. If its not leaking adding more can damage the boot and shorten its life. One of the reasons for sealed joints was people over greased them and the boots blew out.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
What? The boots have grease exits. You're supposed to purge the old grease which carries out the grit with it. That's the whole point.
I have seen some aftermarket that have little slits but most do not.
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
If the boots are not leaking then every 30k will be fine. The issue is when the grease runs out it dries up and that's the problem. If its not leaking adding more can damage the boot and shorten its life. One of the reasons for sealed joints was people over greased them and the boots blew out.
So make sure to not add to much and check the boots for leaks.
What? The boots have grease exits. You're supposed to purge the old grease which carries out the grit with it. That's the whole point.
I have seen some aftermarket that have little slits but most do not.
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I had the shop that installed my ball joints add some grease cause they looked pretty empty. The guy added grease until they expanded all the way. One has grease come out the bottom and it seems like it's been seeping ever since. I assumed he was going to just add a few pumps
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Supposedly moog has a relief slit at the bottom.
I add a few shots every tire rotation. Try to avoid blowouts.
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My f250 book says every 6000. I just give it a squirt,and watch the boot for movement.
2000-3000 miles.
But my joints are loooose. Keeping them packed full tightens up the steering. I have new joints, no time to install them.
And yeah, Ive never seen a joint with those relief slits. Didnt even know they existed. All the joints Ive overfilled have burst.
But my joints are loooose. Keeping them packed full tightens up the steering. I have new joints, no time to install them.
And yeah, Ive never seen a joint with those relief slits. Didnt even know they existed. All the joints Ive overfilled have burst.
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I grease them one time when I install them that's it. I ruined a brand new ball joint by over greasing it. Not gonna make that mistake again. I gotta long line of mistakes that I'm never again gonna make.
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