4X4, greasable ball joints.

[James McClure]

Does anyone have a tool, device or idea on how you would grease the upper ball joint on 4WD front axels? I do remember back in the early 70's Ford had a tool to grease Mustang upper "A" frame bushings. I have tried to find this tool because I think it might just fit between the "U" joint and the base of the balljoint. All it was, was a steel disc about 1/4" thick with a grease fitting on the edge. I was toying with the idea of simply boreing a hole thru the knuckle and putting a fitting in, but then when ball joint has to be replaced it will have to be bored and installed just right so it can be greased. In the 400,000 miles I have driven this thing I've replace those joints 3 times & I'm to old for that crap now, LOL. Boreing down thru the stud is not an option. I would rather the socket wore out than have the stud snap off. I'm sure someone here has climbed this mountain, toss me a frigging rope will ya?? Thanks, jim

[LONGHAIR]

As far as I know, the only way to get there is to pull the axle out. Then you remove the plug, which is what is supposed to be in there. Install a zerk fitting, isert the grease and swap the plug back in. It's a lot of work, but if you are already apart to service your wheel bearings, it not that much more. It's not like it needs to be done with any real frequency.

[ElGracho]

This is the one you need:


(Napa PUJ621)

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...Grease+Fitting



It's no thicker than the plug. You'll have to get a needle adapter for your grease gun and turn the axle u-joint just right to be able to get to it.

It the thread doesn't match up, try a PUJ620.

[Duro5341]

Originally Posted by ElGracho

This is the one you need:


(Napa PUJ621)

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...Grease+Fitting



It's no thicker than the plug. You'll have to get a needle adapter for your grease gun and turn the axle u-joint just right to be able to get to it.

It the thread doesn't match up, try a PUJ620.

This is called a zerc fitting, and they are nomally only used on the front u joints, the upper and lower ball joint should have a normal fitting nipple. however you may need a grease needle to reach the upper, with the wheels turned to one side, like on my truck.

The zerk fitting are on the front u joint (if there not original) because of the tight clearence between the joint, and the ball joint nut, and base on the upper.

They are a flush fitting which requires a grease needle to grease them, infact you can use a grease needle on any fitting, I like it especailly for the rear u-joints, it can be tight sometimes to get them depending on the joint angle

Duro

[Prong]

I recently bought a set of new Moog ball joints for one of my 79's, and they now come with a fitting in the side of the joint at the bottom edge so they can be greased just like the lower ones during a normal service. I know that doesn't help you right now, but when it come time to replace them, it's a handy option. What's funny is on my old 76 with the Dana 44, there was enough clearance to leave a zerc in there so you didn't have to tear things down to grease them.

[James McClure]

Hay guys, thanks. I'll check the info out. I have the small needle fittings on the front drive axel and on the from drive shaft inside the CV joint and have the tool for them. Threads are wrong for ball joints, to small so I'll look at the other number. If that dosn't work I'll look into the Moog joints. jim