Zerk new truck?

[D6Diesel]

Have read the threads on how to zerk the suspension on my 2001 CTD. The vehicle works great. Should I install the Zerks? Could someone list the locations for the 2wd?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

D6, I zerked my 2wd last year. I bought self-tapping zerks from Napa and drilled through the cap of each joint. I did the tie rod ends and upper ball joints plus I think one of the steering linkage joints. The inner ball joints are a PITA, I did one on one side but not the other because it was too tough to get my drill in there.



When drilling add some grease to your tip to catch debris as you drill. Also, only go deep enough to drill your hole and no further. There is not a lot of "air space" between the cap and internal parts. The caps are thicker than they appear.



For some reason mine will only take a tiny squirt of grease in the tie rod ends before it acts full and it hydraulically locks up all movement. . . cannot twist it by hand. So I only add a squirt here every 5-10K miles.



I never got the nerve to do the lower ball joints since they are cast and I wasn't sure where to drill.



Vaughn

 

[JCaldwell]

01 2wd I found only two (2) grease fitting on my steering linkage is this correct? Nothing noted in service manual except idler arm.

 

[D6Diesel]

Thanks Vaughn,



Roger on grease on drill and tap.

Prior post suggested flex drill for inner ball joints. The lower ball joints could be approached from the side?



So far the list I've come up with : 3 ball joints on each side, 2 outer steering rods, driver's side of track bar (if present on 2wd).



Also may see if I can get some old ones to have a look at before going ahead. One of the posts suggested stopping the drill once it hits white plastic but I'm thinking I should drill to the ball so the grease can get in there.



Geoff

 

[Bob Cochran]

JCaldwell ~ Seems everyone has a different count on how many Zerks they have on their trucks. I am with you I only have 2 of them on the steering linkage like you on my stock truck.