Greasable vs. sealed ball joints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Peregrine · 01-12-2005, 09:16 PM

My dad wanted to post and see what your guys opinions on them are. We're about to replace all of them and just looking for the pros and cons. I personally like trying to explain to people the concept of a grease gun.

LONGHAIR · 01-12-2005, 09:21 PM

I would go greasable......They are no weakened by the hole/fitting like some driveshaft u-joints can be.

chevydog66 · 01-12-2005, 09:37 PM

I have always heard that the grease zerk makes the u-joint weaker. At least that is what the guy that builds driveshafts at "Fort Wayne Clutch and Driveline" told me. Plus, other 30 to 40 year old gear heads I hang out with agree as well. My driveshaft that is my my 550hp Chevelle has sealed u-joints. My new driveshaft that is in my 72 GMC also has sealed u-joints. I would recommend sealed u-joints.

Peregrine · 01-12-2005, 09:41 PM

Thanks for the info, but before this gets out of hand and there are 20 posts about U-joints, we're talking about front-end ball joints.

chevydog66 · 01-12-2005, 09:45 PM

Damn, I spaced that one. I must have had a brain fart. I thought you were talking about "u-joints". Duh! Sorry about that.

cduster · 01-12-2005, 09:51 PM

I prefer greasable myself.

Longhorn Man · 01-12-2005, 10:34 PM

I like sealed units...they stay cleaner, and lets face it...no one likes that grease gun.
However, in all reality, the one you need to lube will probably last longer IF you lube it when you should, and also, by laying under your truck looking at the ball joints and other parts, you have a better idea if/how worn they are.

As far as U-joints...I like sealed units hands down. If they lasted 140K on our old blazer...then i see no reason for greasable ones.

LONGHAIR · 01-13-2005, 07:22 AM

I'm aware that we were talking about ball joints........I was pointing out that greasable ball joints are not weaker. (like u-joints can be)

Tx Firefighter · 01-13-2005, 08:06 AM

I grease my trucks and wouldn't ever put a sealed component on my truck if a greasable one was available.

Even U-joints. Seriously, how many guys here can hook their truck up hard enough to break a greasable u-joint? Not too many I'd bet.

RIDDLA · 01-13-2005, 01:35 PM

I prefer greasable ball joints
Plus when you lube em you can always clean the old grease that collect in em with new grease.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I grease my trucks and wouldn't ever put a sealed component on my truck if a greasable one was available.

Even U-joints. Seriously, how many guys here can hook their truck up hard enough to break a greasable u-joint? Not too many I'd bet.

Ill raise my hand on that one.
Ive broken both greasable and non greasable u-joints and my final conclusion is that its the brand that matters (carquest)
You pay for what you get.

67ChevyRedneck · 01-13-2005, 01:40 PM

I completely rebuilt my fronst suspension.....ALL greasable parts. Gives me something to do when I'm bored.....

Tx Firefighter · 01-13-2005, 02:43 PM

I've always run Spicer brand U-joints. They do cost about twice what a normal parts store joint costs. Also, around here, I have to go to a truck driveline shop (big truck, ex Peterbilt type shop) to get them. They just seem a little higher quality to my eyes.

Typically about 30 dollars each.

**StingRay** · 01-13-2005, 05:02 PM

I have had many Toyota's with sealed ball joints and tie rod ends and they usually go well into the hundreds of thousand miles with no problems. I imagine the quality of the part has as much to do with it as them being sealed. With a really good quality part sealed is not a problem. With a lesser quality part better to be able to grease em. For off road use where they have a tendency to get dunked I believe it's better to grease as the new grease displaces whatever gets in that's not suposed to.

Dean · 01-13-2005, 05:12 PM

You don't have much of a choice on the upper one on a 4x4. The grease fitting hits the ujoint so you have to keep the plug in it. You have to pull the axle and whole hub assy to grease it.....like anyone ever does that...

01-12-2005, 09:16 PM	#1
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	Greasable vs. sealed ball joints My dad wanted to post and see what your guys opinions on them are. We're about to replace all of them and just looking for the pros and cons. I personally like trying to explain to people the concept of a grease gun. __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

01-12-2005, 09:37 PM	#3
chevydog66 GM ONLY BABY!!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fort Wayne, IN. Posts: 1,998	I have always heard that the grease zerk makes the u-joint weaker. At least that is what the guy that builds driveshafts at "Fort Wayne Clutch and Driveline" told me. Plus, other 30 to 40 year old gear heads I hang out with agree as well. My driveshaft that is my my 550hp Chevelle has sealed u-joints. My new driveshaft that is in my 72 GMC also has sealed u-joints. I would recommend sealed u-joints. __________________ 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. 66 Chevelle Malibu 406ci, 573hp, 10.99@121mph 96 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 GMC 1500 Super Custom LS 6.0/4L65 on airride http://www.cardomain.com/ride/707879...mc-c-k-pick-up

01-12-2005, 09:41 PM	#4
Peregrine Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 329	Thanks for the info, but before this gets out of hand and there are 20 posts about U-joints, we're talking about front-end ball joints. __________________ Brian 72 C10 longbed 350/th400 Let the world change you and you will change the world.

01-12-2005, 09:45 PM	#5
chevydog66 GM ONLY BABY!!! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Fort Wayne, IN. Posts: 1,998	Damn, I spaced that one. I must have had a brain fart. I thought you were talking about "u-joints". Duh! Sorry about that. __________________ 2 wrongs don't make a right, but 3 lefts do. 66 Chevelle Malibu 406ci, 573hp, 10.99@121mph 96 Chevy Silverado Z71 72 GMC 1500 Super Custom LS 6.0/4L65 on airride http://www.cardomain.com/ride/707879...mc-c-k-pick-up

01-13-2005, 08:06 AM	#9
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I grease my trucks and wouldn't ever put a sealed component on my truck if a greasable one was available. Even U-joints. Seriously, how many guys here can hook their truck up hard enough to break a greasable u-joint? Not too many I'd bet. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-12-2005, 09:21 PM	#2
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	I would go greasable......They are no weakened by the hole/fitting like some driveshaft u-joints can be.

01-12-2005, 09:51 PM	#6
cduster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 403	I prefer greasable myself.

01-12-2005, 10:34 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I like sealed units...they stay cleaner, and lets face it...no one likes that grease gun. However, in all reality, the one you need to lube will probably last longer IF you lube it when you should, and also, by laying under your truck looking at the ball joints and other parts, you have a better idea if/how worn they are. As far as U-joints...I like sealed units hands down. If they lasted 140K on our old blazer...then i see no reason for greasable ones.

01-13-2005, 07:22 AM	#8
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	I'm aware that we were talking about ball joints........I was pointing out that greasable ball joints are not weaker. (like u-joints can be)

01-13-2005, 01:40 PM	#11
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I completely rebuilt my fronst suspension.....ALL greasable parts. Gives me something to do when I'm bored..... __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

01-13-2005, 02:43 PM	#12
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I've always run Spicer brand U-joints. They do cost about twice what a normal parts store joint costs. Also, around here, I have to go to a truck driveline shop (big truck, ex Peterbilt type shop) to get them. They just seem a little higher quality to my eyes. Typically about 30 dollars each. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-13-2005, 05:02 PM	#13
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	I have had many Toyota's with sealed ball joints and tie rod ends and they usually go well into the hundreds of thousand miles with no problems. I imagine the quality of the part has as much to do with it as them being sealed. With a really good quality part sealed is not a problem. With a lesser quality part better to be able to grease em. For off road use where they have a tendency to get dunked I believe it's better to grease as the new grease displaces whatever gets in that's not suposed to. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

01-13-2005, 05:12 PM	#14
Dean Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,492	You don't have much of a choice on the upper one on a 4x4. The grease fitting hits the ujoint so you have to keep the plug in it. You have to pull the axle and whole hub assy to grease it.....like anyone ever does that...



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