Shocking ball joint news

[Prairie Dog]

I have the front drivers side suspension apart for a new U-joint and bearing (s/b here today) and I am happy to say that even after 81K miles, the ball joints are still tight! After all the horror stories about bad joints at 30~70k K I figured I was in for it. Everything came apart easy too.

I owe it all the clean driving and dumb luck.



BTW, I took out the speed sensor and looked into the hub, it was dry and shiny in there. I know guys pump that area full of grease but I wonder how it would work to fill it about 2/3's full of gear oil? I'd sure like to see someone else try this. . :-laf



Yes, that's one of those fancy new imported golden mahogany jack stands - nothing but the best for my CTD.

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[BIGNASTY]

Qoute


Yes, that's one of those fancy new imported golden mahogany jack stands - nothing but the best for my CTD.

I do see you love your Truck the jack stand was pressure treated Oo.

When I put on braks I took a look at the wheel berg. One felt rough when I turned it so I ordered Timken but in until they got there I took out the sensor and did add gear oil to the bearings. It was about a month before I got around to changing the bearings they didn't leak or adding the oil didn't seem to do anything I was concerned about it actually made the one that felt rough smooth out.

BIG

 

[Prairie Dog]

I only had the slightest looseness in the bearing when you rocked the tire back and forth. Truth is it probably could have gone many more miles but I had to take it off anyway.
I think I may fill the other bearing about 1/2 full and see how it does. I can't get over how clean and dry it was in the hub.

In fact I think I'll try a little experiment with the old hub and figure out how much fluid it holds.
Of course there's the matter of venting but it's such a small amount that it probably won't matter. .


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[Prairie Dog]

Using a syringe, it took 39 mL to fill the hub to the bottom of the sensor hole. So 20 mL (. 7 ounces) should do nicely.

 

[CBlack]

My ball joints are nice and tight with just over 100k on the clock.

 

[AEdelheit]

I wouldn't put gear oil in there, if the seal starts to leak the oil can wash the grease away and kill your bearings real
Fast, grease works well, I don't see a reason not to put more in. On both my 3rd gens I filled
Them with grease and never had problems.

 

[AEdelheit]

I wouldn't put gear oil in there, if the seal starts to leak the oil can wash the grease away and kill your bearings real

Fast, grease works well, I don't see a reason not to put more in. On both my 3rd gens I filled

Them with grease and never had problems.

 

[jelag]

I've pressed these hubs apart and back together... . I did that to see if using a 100% high drop point grease through the ABS sensor hole would circulate through both bearings and add to the life... cleaned it up and pressed it back together. . you can read some of my thoughts on this in the current TDR on page 60 something... .

True you can put oil into this hub, but its not designed to hold and seal oil in... however each of the hubs I've had apart had nothing more than a tablespoon or two of grease... so adding grease with a rubber tipped nozzle through the senor hole will work and the grease will spread to both bearings...

I used a high drop point full synthetic grease... in the 475 or higher drop point (the point were the grease will melt and drop off a vertical wall) I suggest you look at Joe's article in the current TDR and use your best judgement... but my suggestion is the first chance you have to pull the brakes apart (rotor needs to come off) you grease it... Don't use the off the shelf grease that will melt at 275* as is currently offered as chassis and all around grease... use the good stuff...

With the little grease that packed into these hubs when new, I'm surprised they last as long as they do...

Hope this helps add some thought to the process... .

 

[llotton]

Could this method (through the anti lock sensor hole ) be used with "Dyna Trac" hubs?

 

[rscurtis]

No. On the DT, the sensor is outside the bearing area. DT uses conventional replaceable, repackable, adjustable roller bearings.

 

[Prairie Dog]

On a separate note, I was surprised to find that the new bearing assembly just slid right into the hub. With as much force as it takes to get it apart, I guess I thought they would have to be pulled together by the mounting bolts.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Would it be possible to just heat your grease and pour it into the sensor hole. . Seems that it would find its way into the rollers and not voilate the seals.