How To Grease Upper 4x4 Ball Joint - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DANL · 09-18-2003, 12:02 AM

Hey, can you 4x4 experts tell me how to grease the upper ball joints on a K5? I have new joints, but the uppers do not have grease fittings. The mechanic said there is not enough clearance between ball joint and u-joint for grease fitting.

Thanks in advance.

...Dan

smokekiki · 09-18-2003, 08:36 AM

If it has a plug in it,you can thread a grease fitting in to grease it then put the plug back in.Or you can get a neddle adapter for your grease gun.

palallin · 09-18-2003, 10:27 AM

Thank Chevy and Dana for the earlier, Closed-knuckle axles . . .

DANL · 09-18-2003, 10:05 PM

Hey smokekiki, thanks for the reply. I will try the first recommendation. Also is needle used to penetrate joint boot?
Thanks again.

...Dan

Duallie · 09-19-2003, 01:24 AM

DON'T PUT A HOLE IN THE BOOT! The proper way to grease a "greasable" upper ball joint on a 4X4 is to yank the hub and spindle and pull the halfshafts out! Then pry out the zerk cap and thread in an angled zerk. After greasing, reinstall the cap and reassemble. Whoever replaced the ball joints should've greased them, too.
Don't try to leave a zerk in there; the first quarter turn of the driveshaft will bust it off.

smokekiki · 09-19-2003, 09:38 PM

No a needle is not for going thru the boot.It may fit in the hole for the grease zerk.

DANL · 09-19-2003, 11:01 PM

Hey Duallie, thanks for the info.

...Dan

09-18-2003, 12:02 AM	#1
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	How To Grease Upper 4x4 Ball Joint Hey, can you 4x4 experts tell me how to grease the upper ball joints on a K5? I have new joints, but the uppers do not have grease fittings. The mechanic said there is not enough clearance between ball joint and u-joint for grease fitting. Thanks in advance. ...Dan

09-18-2003, 08:36 AM	#2
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	If it has a plug in it,you can thread a grease fitting in to grease it then put the plug back in.Or you can get a neddle adapter for your grease gun. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

09-18-2003, 10:27 AM	#3
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	Thank Chevy and Dana for the earlier, Closed-knuckle axles . . . __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

09-19-2003, 01:24 AM	#5
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	DON'T PUT A HOLE IN THE BOOT! The proper way to grease a "greasable" upper ball joint on a 4X4 is to yank the hub and spindle and pull the halfshafts out! Then pry out the zerk cap and thread in an angled zerk. After greasing, reinstall the cap and reassemble. Whoever replaced the ball joints should've greased them, too. Don't try to leave a zerk in there; the first quarter turn of the driveshaft will bust it off. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

09-19-2003, 09:38 PM	#6
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,473	No a needle is not for going thru the boot.It may fit in the hole for the grease zerk. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

09-18-2003, 10:05 PM	#4
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Hey smokekiki, thanks for the reply. I will try the first recommendation. Also is needle used to penetrate joint boot? Thanks again. ...Dan

09-19-2003, 11:01 PM	#7
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Hey Duallie, thanks for the info. ...Dan

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