Grease fittings popping up all over!

[Archive]

Well I finally did it, drilled all the steering balljoints and zerked em. Everything but the lower knuckle balljoints now have zerks on them, I didn't see any way to do these as the cap is right under the stub shaft u-joint.

Heres what I used-

- 7/32 drill bit
- 2 1/4X28 strait zerks
- 2 1/4X28 90 degree zerks
- 5/16 & 3/8 wrench
- 1/4X28 tap
- tools to remove front wheels
- flex shaft for drill (optional)

Its a pretty strait forward deal, remove the front wheels to drill the 2 outer tierod joints. Only tap the hole about 3 turns so the zerk threads tight. Use the strait zerks here.

I used a flex shaft to drill the 2 center joints so nothing had to be unbolted for the operation. I just turned the wheel until I had a spot where I could reach. If you don't have a flex for your drill then the tierods will need to be unbolted. Don't beat on the balljoint end to remove them. Insted use a large hammer and smack the side of the object where the balljoint shaft goes through. This distorts the hole for a split second so the shaft can pop out. If there is room to use 2 hammers, hitting both sides at the same time will be more effective.

After the center holes are drilled and tapped use the 2 remaining 90 degree zerks and put everything back together. It took me less than one hour to add these on my rig, now my grease gun has a use again. Each joint took 5 pumps before the seal started to bulge a little, lubed for life: Ya right!

Tips/info-

- center the zerks on the caps
- the cap metal is about 1/16" thick
- grease the end of your drill bit and the tap to keep metal from getting into the joint
- if you must tap on the end of a balljoint, use a punch that will center on the end of the shaft and be careful. I've messed up my share of joints hitting a nut threaded on.


Hopefully some useful info here, maybe more than most need.

Grease on- Zach

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2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H.O.,loaded up and then some!