Greasing the upper ball joints...

Ever since gitting the 1998 T-100 Xtra cab 2WD auto, it's always had some binding when making right turns or changing lanes. Ruled out the rack and the power steering pump. It came down to the ball joints as the culprit... :(

Replacing them was an expensive option but I wanted to make sure it wasn't just needing lubrication. Luckily...the upper ones are greaseable. :D

On the stock upper ball joint, there is a 10mm hex cap. I went and got metric grease fittings/zerks (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?categoryDisplayName=&fromString=&itemIdentifier=142107_0_0_&productId=142107&sortType=&parentId=6-10&filterByKeyWord=&categoryNValue=&navValue=100804&fromWhere=&itemId=804-10&displayName=Grease+Gun+Accessories&store=1492&skuDisplayName=8+pcs.+metric+grease+fitting+mini+a ssortment&brandName=OEM) from AutoZone fer $4.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u3/bamzippow/T100/th_zerks.jpg (http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u3/bamzippow/T100/?action=view&current=zerks.jpg)
Part Number: 25716
Weight: 0.5 lbs
Fitting
Description: Fitting
Piece Count: 8
SAE/Metric: Metric
Includes: 2 pcs. 6 mm. straight, 2 pcs. 6 mm. 45 degree, 2 pcs. 6 mm. 90 degree and 2 pcs. 8 mm. straight

Using a 10mm socket, I removed the cap. I installed the 6mm straight zerk using a 7mm socket. Loaded up the grease gun with some Mobil 1 synthetic grease and pumped it until I saw the dust boot expand just a little...about 10 times with my grease gun. Repeated on the other side.

Some people say to remove the zerks and put the original cap back on or put some dust caps on the zerks. It's yer call...I left mine in place fer the moment without any dust caps as I didn't have any available at the time.

I went ahead and pumped some grease on the greaseable polyurethane sway bar bushings I had installed a few months ago...only a 2 pumps each.

The binding has completely gone away and feels really smooth changing lanes and making turns. At least it doesn't feel dangerous making turns anymore... :D

Now I still have to do the wheel bearings next time... ;)

I see no reason not to just leave the zerks there for future greasing. Good bit of basic maintenance :thumbup:

Yeah! Thanks for the info, I have that binding sound problem, but in my case the rubber boot is torn already. Do you know if your ball joints are the factory ones or aftermarket? I ask becuase well I do have to replace mine, I didn't pay attention to see if they had the hex cap or not. But I guess I can go check too.

My ball joints are still factory...even after 313,000 miles. ;)

It's easy to check fer the cap...just reach over the top of the tire. I believe it's the only 10mm nut on the top side...or you could just take a peek from the side. :D

Since yer boot is torn...you might as well just replace the ball joints... ;)

Now i will need to go check my ball joints for hex caps :D I personally would not leave the zerks on but that is just after seeing the ones on my 91 that looked like they have never been touched. i went to grease them last year and there was not a chance that was happening :( but Alaska is awful on vehichles and everything rusts.

ya usually if the zerks are in there for years and years they'll end up needing to be replaced anyway when you go to grease

but i figure, if you take them out and replace them with the caps, next time you go to grease your just gonna go by more zerks cuz there's no way in heck your gonna find those old ones :lol:

Good point. May as well keep them where you know you can find them. :D