2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission upper ball joints

[SAndreasen]

Added flush mount grease zerks so I can grease the upper ball joints

 

[JMcCoy]

That looks pretty sweet. Did the ball joint come with a hole for the fitting, or did you drill and tap it? Is it easy to get the grease tip in there? I have Moogs with the 90 degrees zerk fittings. They work well, but the u-joint must be positioned properly to access the fitting.

 

[SAndreasen]

There was a 1/4 inch plug in them. I've never seen them with enough room on the upper ones to have a regular grease zerk or do you have to put in the zerk grease then put plug back in ?

 

[JR]

The uppers will clear a 90* zerk fitting the lowers have to have the plug put back when your done greasing or the universal will tear it off.
The best way to grease ball joints is with the front end off the ground with no weight on the ball joints and work the wheel back and forth while you slowly grease.

 

[mwilson]

The u-joint will clear a 90 degree fitting as JR says. My 97 had plugs in the uppers when I bought it, I changed to the 90 degree fittings. No problem...

 

[JMcCoy]

The lowers grease from the bottom, and are no where near the u-joint. 2000-2002 trucks may have clearance issues on the bottom, but all the room in the world on the top. I do like the idea of flush grease fittings. Is it easy to grease the uppers in place?

 

[JR]

You are right but SAnderson has a 98. 2000-2002 have a completely different set up from the ball joints out then the 99 and earlier trucks. 2000-2002 has twin piston calipers and slip on rotors, earlier trucks have single piston calipers and pressed on rotors. Having had both, I think the ball joint set up is stronger on the earlier trucks but I'd love to have the better calipers and slip on rotors.

 

[rancherman]

yah, I got one of each. Ball joints last 2x longer on the earlier truck, but is a pain to keep lubed, work on...

Moog has a lower joint for the 2000's that has a little pipe extension zerk that puts it at a 45 degree angle.. misses the rotating u-joint.

 

[SAndreasen]

Slip on rotors would be nice that's for sure

 

[SAndreasen]

The lowers grease from the bottom, and are no where near the u-joint. 2000-2002 trucks may have clearance issues on the bottom, but all the room in the world on the top. I do like the idea of flush grease fittings. Is it easy to grease the uppers in place?[/QUOneed to get one of these now so I can grease em

 

[Flinty]

A grease zerk off of a tie rod end works just fine. Included a pic of the adapter on my grease gun to lube the joint.

 

[SAndreasen]

A grease zerk off of a tie rod end works just fine. Included a pic of the adapter on my grease gun to lube the joint.

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I thought I would try that but didn't think it would clear the u joint . Where did you greasable axle joints

 

[Flinty]

The U-joints are from Napa part #374. If you want them to last they must be greased every 1000mi. Grease able U-joints aren't what they used to be. The non grease able joints are built with better seals and will last longer than grease able ones if greased every 5000mi. By upping the frequency of lube I can reduce the # of times I have to tear the front end apart. The truck pictured has 320K on the clock and I've taken the hubs apart twice. Ball joints replaced once.

 

[SAndreasen]

That's why I wanted to get the grease zerks in the upper ball joints with grease they should last forever.