2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Grease fittings: How Many & Where?

[BSanders]

I want to grease my truck myself. Would somebody(s) tell me where all the fittings are? Are there any tricks I should know? I've done oil & filter changes along with fuel filter changes and figure I could do this bit of maintenance as well. Thanks.

 

[Berrigan]

My 98 only has them at the track bar, both tie rod ends and the pitman arm. Other year Dodges ive had also had them on u-joints slip yokes, cv joints and steering knuckles. You just pretty much have to start at the rear diff and follow the drive train all the way to the front and check everything. Then do the front and all steering components. good luck!

 

[mikel]

Your truck should be just like mine, and if so there are two zerks on it.



You did read that correctly, there are only 2.



One is on the joint at the steering box, and the other is on the idler arm exactly opposite the steering box on the other frame rail.



Mike

 

[overfueled]

Grease Fittings

I have three on my truck (10-00 build date). One is on the idler arm exactly opposite the steering box that connects to the right tire and goes to the driver side frame rail the fitting is on the driver’s side. And the other two are on the upper ball joints. That’s it. OverFueled

 

[CUMAPART]

Like Overfueled said just 3 fittings.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

DC apparently eliminated one more on the '02 2wd trucks - I only have 2 on mine...



Some of us who are sorta concerned with proper longevity of the un-greasable joints, have used needle tips on our grease guns and carefully pierced the joint boots and injected grease into them - and the center carrier boot as well. On my truck, the boots were quite obviously deflated and empty of lubricant - I added enough grease to get them to begin "plumping up", and stopped there. After a couple of drives, I rechecked the various joints, and saw that they had lost their plumpness as apparently captured air was eventually bled out. You DO need to be careful to NOT over greae these joints, as the boots are a sealed type that can be damaged if overfilled.

 

[illflem]

Starting in 2000 the 2wd has two zerks, the 4wd three, the extra being on the drivers side track bar.

 

[2-ND TIME]

zerks??? lack of

If you have any thing replaced go for the better quality greasable parts and use synthetic grease. I put grease nipples in the front sway bar links the mechinics asked where I got them ????? I thought that I was using enough grease of a couple of shots in the drivline nipples but the rear U-joint was bone dry and runned for shock loading from the engine and not enough grease of all things try not to over grease though?? If the upper and lower ball joints go go for the greaseable ones.

 

[Phil Stuart]

lifetime lubricated...Yeah,right!

My 2002 only had three fittings until I installed zerks on all the rest of the front end except lower ball joints. I just pumped enough grease into them until the seals just began to balloon.

You don't want to over grease these. I find it hard to believe that DC calls them lubed for life



I Remember the older automobiles that had zerk fittings all over the place.



Phil

 

[illflem]

They don't even need to be that much older, my '95 has seven stock zerks, the 1st gen rigs even more

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I've read here where some owners have had to start replacing steering and suspension pieces as low as 60,000 miles with some of these later trucks - my old '91 was FULLY greaseable, and when I sold it at 120,000 miles, the entire suspension was still tight as new...



Non-greaseable suspension on a TRUCK, that sees heavy duty and off-road use? a GIANT step BACKWARDS!