Lubricate outer tie rod ends.....How?

[MojaveJoe]

Now that Im out of warranty Id prefer doing this frequent job myself, and avoid a trip to the dealer.



Anyone care to say how they lube their outer tie rod ends on 2500/3500 4x4s?

And what kind of grease should I use?



Thanks,

Joe

 

[DFrank]

Bump. i am overdue as well

 

[rbattelle]

They have grease fittings, so you just stick the grease gun hose on 'em and squirt. I pump until grease oozes out of the seal, which usually means 1-2 pumps (with this type of gun).

Be sure to carefully clean the grease fitting before pumping in new grease in order to avoid pumping contaminants into the joints along with the grease. I recently discovered the joy of grease fitting dust caps, which really keep the fittings nice and clean.

As for grease, I use whatever strikes my fancy when I buy grease! Obviously you need an NLGI GC-LB grade 2 grease. I usually go with a full synthetic. I was using Mobil 1, but right now my gun is loaded with Valvoline. [I tend to favor Valvoline these days because they're usually loaded with molybdenum. ]

I like the feel of the Valvoline binder a little better than the Mobil 1 binder (they're both lithium).

I use this same grease for universal joints, and everything else that requires a grease-like substance.

Ryan

 

[MojaveJoe]

Now there's the info I was looking for. Thanks Ryan

I looked all over for a grease spec but couldn't find one anywhere. Now all I have to do is go buy some and use it .

Regards,
Joe

 

[nickleinonen]

i personally prefer this style of gun
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i find it easier to use as i can hold the hose on the fitting and pump with the other hand [i have a ±30" whip on my gun that i made up using some -6 aeroquip line. . ]

for grease, i have some stuff in my gun that i am trying to get rid of as i don't like it much [it was free though - Mobil Polyrex EM (good grease, wrong application)]. . i still want to try and find an easily available synthetic grease that is high on the moly content

 

[pwr2tow]

Any component subjected to water should use a marine grade type grease. Yes, your ball joints are subjected to rain water, salt, snow, etc. etc.

 

[betterthanstock]

Any component subjected to water should use a marine grade type grease. Yes, your ball joints are subjected to rain water, salt, snow, etc. etc.

Maybe, if you submerge it extensively.

Marine grease uses calcium, which reacts with lithium in regular grease, and hardens, and separates the oil from the filler. So, if you can clean out the OEM grease really well, go for it. Otherwise, stick to the OEM lithium type.