2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Lower ball joint wont accept grease.

[firefighter_2000]

Changed the oil today and was greasing everything under the front end. Started on the drivers side and worked towards the passenger side. Everything took grease just fine till I got to the last one. The passenger side lower ball joint wouldn't take any grease. I forgot to grease it the last time so I thought it might be the zerk plugged. Took it out (8mm stubby for anyone wondering what size to use) cleaned it and got grease to go right on through it. Took a small piece of wire and tried to scrape anything out of the hole the zerk went in. Put it back in, stuck the grease gun on it and nothing. Pump handle got just as tight as it could be. Stuck it back on a couple of other fittings to make sure it wasnt the gun and worked fine. SO... something is amiss inside the balljoint. Any other ideas on why it might be doing this or what I can do to fix it. I replaced the lowers with geaseable ones from moog about 85k miles ago. I've kept them greased regularly as well. No problems till now.

Thanks

Craig

 

[NIsaacs]

I would jack it up and remove the weight off the ball joint. That might work. If not, whack the side of the ball joint on the housing where it presses in while keeping gun pressure on the zerk.



Nick

 

[GAmes]

Neither one of my lower joints will take grease unless I jack the tire nearly off the ground.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Maybe

I'll try that first thing in the morning. I'll report back with the results.

Thanks

Craig

 

[firefighter_2000]

Worked like a charm

Jacked up the front end this morning and shot it full of grease. Worked like a charm. Is this possibly a warnning sign that the ball joint is going bad? Up until now both of them always took grease fine (yesterday the drivers side took it fine). Thanks for the suggestion on jacking it up.

Craig

 

[GAmes]

Is this possibly a warnning sign that the ball joint is going bad?

IDK. I didn't have to do it with the stock ball joints. Replaced them at about 530k with Moogs and have had to jack it up ever since. (discovered it by accident. )

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Good point guys…I never thought about it but I HAFTA lift the truck to clock the front cross shaft so the gun will fit into the zerks on the upper…so I never would have noticed!!