Carli Ball Joints-Screwed up?

[AMink]

I have Carli Ball Joints on my signature truck. If I recall correctly, when lubing the joints you squeeze the grease in until you feel resistance. I just had some front end work done on my truck and it appears the shop very nicely lubed the joints, which I did just a few days before. There is grease coming out the bottom of the right lower joint. Is this a sign that the shop blew the seal in the joint or am I just worrying over nothing? I know the joints are guaranteed for life but I'm not sure if they are if someone screwed them up.

 

[AMink]

Nevermind, I think I found the answer to my question. #@$%!

"Please note, Carli Ball Joints will require 2,000 miles until the mating surfaces are fully Broken-In. Steering may be “sticky” or lack fluidity for the first thousand miles.
One should attempt to grease Carli Ball Joints every 2,000-3,000 miles to ensure trouble-free service. If the Ball Joints will not take grease, DO NOT FORCE GREASE INTO BALL JOINT! Doing so by any means will void the warranty of the ball joints as it will likely damage the seals.
Greasing of the Ball Joints should be done at a minimum at every oil change but Carli Suspension recommends greasing all Ball Joints between oil changes staying as close to the service interval mentioned above. Again, Carli Ball Joints will accept only a small amount of grease. The Upper Ball Joints will take 2-3 pumps. And the lower, 1/2 - 1 pump."

 

[AEdelheit]

Eh mine were getting sticky making the truck difficult to drive, I jacked up the wheel had to run the steering back and fourth and force grease into them, Yes I forced grease into them, steering feels much better afterwards, a little bit of grease came out the bottom, never had any issues since.

 

[Newt]

You need to tell the shop that they just bought you a new set of Carli ball joints. #@$%!

Newt

 

[AMink]

You need to tell the shop that they just bought you a new set of Carli ball joints. #@$%!

Newt

I went to the shop today and let them know my concern. They said no problem, bring it in and they'll rack it and make sure it's ok. Heard from Carli, they suggested the same. My guess is if the joints are wrecked the shop will make it right.

 

[Ozymandias]

You need to tell the shop that they just bought you a new set of Carli ball joints. #@$%!

Newt

How should the Shop have known about a Zerk that is there and shouldn't be greased as usual?
If the Owner didn't tell them this before then you can't blame them for greasing a Zerk.

JM2C

 

[AMink]

How should the Shop have known about a Zerk that is there and shouldn't be greased as usual?
If the Owner didn't tell them this before then you can't blame them for greasing a Zerk.

JM2C

I did not ask them to grease anything. I asked for an alignment. They called and said my inner tie rod end and links were toast. I authorized the replacement. I did mention that the joints were new, aftermarket joints.

 

[Spooled05]

How old are the joints? The seal is just an oring so that's not a big deal. I had some of the first run uppers and they started letting grease by and after around 60k were wore out. The new replacement set has near that and are still very tight and will only take 1-2 pumps every oil change.

 

[EDankievitch]

Don't sweat it the seal is an O ring when you grease them they will weap a small amount as they pivot and the pressure bleeds off. I had well over 150k on my set that I had in my 05 were as tight when I sold the truck as when I installed them.

 

[Spooled05]

http://vid249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/spooled05/carlibj009.mp4

 

[Ozymandias]

http://vid249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/spooled05/carlibj009.mp4

I really don't like to see what I see in your movie.... For this I could have bought a 20$ MOOG Balljoint.

 

[crispyboy]

Did Carli stand behind them? Did you have trouble making your case with them? Did they replace all or just the upper joint in the video?

 

[Spooled05]

Those were some of the first uppers ever built , I herd they were having heat treat issues. They stood behind them but if you don't have your original purchase receipt good luck . The lowers are XRF and they have lasted longer than stock and 3 sets of moog I had prior to these , carli didn't have a lower when I did these. If you bought lower and uppers you will likely never have a problem so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Tinman]

I fine my Carli's are very tight and I have to really lean on the grease gun to get any grease in. I never really forced it but recently, one of the uppers started making a loud scraping sound. It took a good bit of grease and the problem was solved. Now I make sure they are full. It takes a lot effort on the grease gun, but there is definitely a stopping point.

 

[Ozymandias]

Did you jack up the Front Axle for greasing as intended by Carli?

 

[MAshley]

Did you jack up the Front Axle for greasing as intended by Carli?

Not all grease guns are created equal....

I don't have a clue on the Carli joints but I would think it should take more then a little too much grease cause failure.
But I also feel most grease monkeys feel that if some is good more is better.

 

[MLee]

That shop probably uses a air powered grease gun to boot and you, a manual one.

 

[Superdawg]

My Carli's have been in for 2-3 years and have been greased about 1 time per year. I took the uppers apart after reading this thread. Still had grease, some of the polish worn off but no gouges. Cleaned, greased and put back together. Surprise, a definite improvement in steering. I will take any improvement in steering on a 3rd gen. Definitely worth the time to do.

 

[Newt]

Maintenance Grease Procedure:
1. Jack vehicle and support axle with jack stands to alleviate the weight of the vehicle from the ball joints.

2. Put 1/2 to 1 pump of Synthetic ball joint or chassis grease into each lower and 2-3 pumps into each upper.

3. Ensure the jack stands are free from the full movement of the tire and key on the ignition.

4. While the truck is on the jack stands and greased, cycle the steering from lock to lock 5-6 times to assist the grease migration prior to setting the weight of the vehicle back on the ground.

Carli grease instructions. Too much grease can/will blow the seals.

Newt