Front end lubrication

[RikDavis]

I have a 2013 2500 4x4. This is my first 4wd truck so have patience with me
After an hour of research on the internet and half an hour under the truck with the dog helping I finally found the grease fitting on the rear yoke of the front driveshaft.. If there is one on the front u joint I haven't found it yet.

My 99 2wd had grease fittings on most the front end parts. I drilled the ball joints to make them grease able also and have never replaced a front end part in almost 600K..

On this truck I don't see anything that looks like a ball joint.

I can not find a grease fitting anywhere in the front end it really bothers me to see all these rubber boots that judging by the bulge, or lack there of look like they have little or no grease.

It is tempting to pump some in with a hypodermic style grease needle but am afraid that I could mess up the warranty. Also not sure which parts would come under the longer drive line warranty.

Any one done this or have any thoughts on the subject

Rick

 

[tony1461571]

I think they are now using ball joints without grease fittings. A post by JW green on 6/8/14 in the thread need ball joints at 33k miles. I also had some replaced on my 98.5 and to my surprise one had a fitting and one didn't. ***** to the dealer and if they don't the as they are affecting truck then ask yourself which is cheaper for you in the long run.

 

[cerberusiam]

There hasn't been a useful grease zerk on these trucks for over 10 years. How do expect Corporate and dealers to make money if they don't sell and install parts?

they are lifetime greased parts, the lifetime of the warranty if you are lucky.

 

[Too Tall]

The only fitting is on the 4 x 4 front U joint and it's a weird one. They say grease it every 7500 but I don't see why as if you are not running in 4 wheel drive, the shaft is not turning.

 

[Bob V]

From 2003 to 2013 (3500) the front drive line is always turning. The zirk does not lube the u-joints, it lubes the centering ball assembly of the double Cardan.

 

[Cummins12V98]

From 2003 to 2013 (3500) the front drive line is always turning. The zirk does not lube the u-joints, it lubes the centering ball assembly of the double Cardan.

If you have one!

I don't.

 

[seafish]

Actually it is NOT a zerk grease fitting located on the cardan joint, but a flush-type grease fitting that uses a blunt angled needle tip to grease.


Here is a great photo of it that someone posted on a forum--

 

[Cummins12V98]

seafish

I know what one looks like. I looked a lot and never could fine it. I was at MayMadness in 2012. I had some work done at the Pahrump Chrysler dealer and asked the head mechanic to show me mine. The truck was on the rack. He said you don't have one! He said he has seen several that do not. Stan Gozzi West Coast Chrysler Warranty Rep just happened to be there at that time and he said they do have the grease fitting and he looked it over thoroughly and came out from under the truck and said the mechanic was correct mine does not have the grease fitting!

So my 2011 Longhorn Dually 4x4 has no grease fittings at all!

 

[seafish]

seafish

I know what one looks like. I looked a lot and never could fine it. I was at MayMadness in 2012. I had some work done at the Pahrump Chrysler dealer and asked the head mechanic to show me mine. The truck was on the rack. He said you don't have one! He said he has seen several that do not. Stan Gozzi West Coast Chrysler Warranty Rep just happened to be there at that time and he said they do have the grease fitting and he looked it over thoroughly and came out from under the truck and said the mechanic was correct mine does not have the grease fitting!

So my 2011 Longhorn Dually 4x4 has no grease fittings at all!

Cummins12V98, not saying you don't... I posted that pic for the benefit of the OP and other guys.

That being said, plese know that I ALSO have always insisted int hese threads that my 2005 did NOT have one either, both based on my own inspection, as well as the inspection of two different service managers, at two different dealers and despite the sticker under the hood telling me (and them!!!) to grease it at every oil change. Fade to 3 months ago when I rebuilt my front end, including front axle ujoints, ball joints, front driveshaft ujoints, including the cardan joint, and, lo and behold, THERE IT WAS despite all my and others previous denials!!! I now have to admit that in all my posts claiming NOT to have it and don't worry about it if you can't find yours because its not there, that I was wrong, at least with my truck...the flush type grease fitting on the cardan joint is DEFINITELY there, just under a little bit of dirt. I have it well marked now with neon paint, so it will be easy to find again.

 

[RikDavis]

My truck was perfectly clean underneath and I also had the picture that is earlier in the thread. I still spent 1/2 an hour looking at the u joint for it with no success and then discovered what looked like a second joint behind it. The fitting was in a little groove. I then expected to see grease come out of the U joint cross. Even though I had read it takes only a pump or two I kept pumping and finally realized that the grease was coming out to the rear of the joint. Basically a good way to feel like a total incompetent . I have marked the area with white paint so I can find it the next time

 

[Kirwin]

My 2013 3500 has an electric CAD system. Front axle only turns when it's in 4WD. I put 86K in 10 years on my 2003 (which did turn all the time) and never greased that joint. It was still going when I sold it. Ken Irwin

From 2003 to 2013 (3500) the front drive line is always turning. The zirk does not lube the u-joints, it lubes the centering ball assembly of the double Cardan.

 

[Bob V]

That should have been 2013 2500. Yes the 2013 3500s do have a CAD and the front drive line should not turn unless in 4WD

 

[leaky gasket]

I miss my dog helping me under vehicles. But not the surprise goose sniff between the legs resulting in a bruised forehead.

 

[RikDavis]

I had a goose encounter in a campground. The goose was about crotch high. That is not good

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My 13 has the flush grease fitting for the centering ball and I was able to grease the ball/cup without removing skid plate, driveshaft, etc. I was not able to find any other grease fittings.

 

[Too Tall]

I wonder about those mirrors every time I go threw the car wash. They get flipped every which way. My truck with the mirrors out just barely fits when I go by the blowers with the mirrors all flipped.

 

[ScottLewis]

Front end lubrication - mirrors every time I go threw the car wash ???????????????