Front Lower Ball Joint Recommedations
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 21
From: Broken Arrow, OK
Recommendations for a grease gun? Lol. Whichever one works. I've had $20 units that don't leak and I still have. I've had $50 units that leak and failed in a year or two. Just buy a walmart/harbor freight gun and have at it. Just make sure to use it sparingly, like 1-2 pumps of grease. I do recommend the trigger-style pumps for one hand operation, used with a flexible hose in order to get in the tighter spots.
Last edited by SoonerTruck; Dec 15, 2014 at 03:49 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 4
From: Burlington, VT
Hello 2008_XL,
Thanks for the explanation. Now I understand the benefit of installing a non-sealable ball joint. Regarding the Ford OEM ball joint, I was able to get approximately 135K miles out of them before they went bad. My truck, too, is stock and has never really been off road. She is more of a commuting truck. I actually love driving my truck more than my other cars.
Also, I like to do as much maintenance and repair work as I possibly can (thanks YouTube). I change my oil, rotate my tires, etc., etc.; however, I am a little worried about greasing the Moog ball joints. Is it really that easy to grease those joints? How do you ensure that you don't over grease the joints?
Thanks again for the information.
Donald
Thanks for the explanation. Now I understand the benefit of installing a non-sealable ball joint. Regarding the Ford OEM ball joint, I was able to get approximately 135K miles out of them before they went bad. My truck, too, is stock and has never really been off road. She is more of a commuting truck. I actually love driving my truck more than my other cars.
Also, I like to do as much maintenance and repair work as I possibly can (thanks YouTube). I change my oil, rotate my tires, etc., etc.; however, I am a little worried about greasing the Moog ball joints. Is it really that easy to grease those joints? How do you ensure that you don't over grease the joints?
Thanks again for the information.
Donald
I've had the Moog upper bjs for a couple years and have done this. The boot it still intact. You will see old grease dripping down the control arm. This is normal. When you add new grease each time, it forces the spent grease out of the bottom.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 45
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I have several fittings on several vehicles that do require greasing and I've been doing my own maintenance since I was a lad, 45 years anyway ..... and some where along the way I learned to use a grease gun that I can operate with one hand while feeling the boot with the other if possible and stopping when I feel a slight swelling and before grease comes out of every crevice.
When greasing my driveshaft slip joints or my Wheel Horse's deck wheels and bearings for blade shafts, etc, I pump till I see grease.
When greasing my driveshaft slip joints or my Wheel Horse's deck wheels and bearings for blade shafts, etc, I pump till I see grease.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,390
Likes: 10
You're welcome. If you like doing maintanence, you should go with Moog. Greasing is simple. They usually come only slightly filled and you'll need to add some. Feel the rubber boot when you're adding grease. It should feel slightly plump. After that, just use two squirts from a grease gun about every 3000-5000 miles (every oil change) and you'll be set. No need to add more or less. They will not break the boot with that amount and interval.
I've had the Moog upper bjs for a couple years and have done this. The boot it still intact. You will see old grease dripping down the control arm. This is normal. When you add new grease each time, it forces the spent grease out of the bottom.
I've had the Moog upper bjs for a couple years and have done this. The boot it still intact. You will see old grease dripping down the control arm. This is normal. When you add new grease each time, it forces the spent grease out of the bottom.
A Most Excellent post! 
MGD
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Recommendations for a grease gun? Lol. Whichever one works. I've had $20 units that don't leak and I still have. I've had $50 units that leak and failed in a year or two. Just buy a walmart/harbor freight gun and have at it. Just make sure to use it sparingly, like 1-2 pumps of grease. I do recommend the trigger-style pumps for one hand operation, used with a flexible hose in order to get in the tighter spots.
Thanks,
Donald
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
You're welcome. If you like doing maintanence, you should go with Moog. Greasing is simple. They usually come only slightly filled and you'll need to add some. Feel the rubber boot when you're adding grease. It should feel slightly plump. After that, just use two squirts from a grease gun about every 3000-5000 miles (every oil change) and you'll be set. No need to add more or less. They will not break the boot with that amount and interval.
I've had the Moog upper bjs for a couple years and have done this. The boot it still intact. You will see old grease dripping down the control arm. This is normal. When you add new grease each time, it forces the spent grease out of the bottom.
I've had the Moog upper bjs for a couple years and have done this. The boot it still intact. You will see old grease dripping down the control arm. This is normal. When you add new grease each time, it forces the spent grease out of the bottom.
Thanks,
Donald
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 43,532
Likes: 817
From: Joplin MO
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
"Lastly, I will ensure that the parts are Ford OEM parts and not cheap Chinese parts."
I've been disappointed when reading "made in" labels, regardless of the "brand" name on a package. I do like greasable fittings though.
I've been disappointed when reading "made in" labels, regardless of the "brand" name on a package. I do like greasable fittings though.