Lower Lateral Ball Joint Replacment

[ian_maham]

After I replace my Lower lateral arm(with ball joint) do i need to grease/oil the joint? I know some ball joint require a grease/oil gun that plugs into a nipple, this lower lateral ball joint does not have a nipple on it. So the question is... Do I oil it up or is there no need to with the lower lateral arms? Can i install the lower lateral arm with the ball joint and just get a alignment and be good?

Thanks
Ian

 

[TimIacobucci]

I just got finished doing the same thing today and wondered the same thing. There was SOME grease in your new balljionts right?

Mine had a bit but not as much as I would have liked, but with no zerk fitting like you said I don't see how the hell I am suppose to grease them, it's not like a wheel bearing or something you can really wedge the grease into manually.

I thought about trying to drill and tap the bottom for a fitting but that would be stupid. There is no way to get the metal fillings out after you drill it without taking it apart which isn't gonna happen either. So I assume the grease in the joint as it came is suppose to be adequate.

Where did you get yours btw and what did they look like? I got mine from Napa part #10371. If you got yours from a different place it's a pretty good sign none of them have zerk fittings and are adequate as is.

Here are some pics just for fun.

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[ian_maham]

I got mine at rockauto.com for 23.47 with balljoint intact and with bushings. Nobody can be rockautos prices! So does anyb ody know if the balljoin needs to be oiled up and if so hopw to do it

 

[Clipseinc]

If it does not have a nipple then it is most likely a sealed ball joint which is meant to stay sealed and not need additional lubrication. These ball joints are not supposed to be lubable. My ball joints are sealed ball joints, but they are bad and creaking. I have been adding grease to them by piercing the boot with a needle. I'm buying new ball joints this week.