Ball Joint Lubrication September 04, 2021, 12:51:29 pm I’ve been crawling under the rig trying to find where I can install some Zerk fittings for the ball joints. I’m not that familiar with suspension parts but are these not the ball joints? If so, I don’t see any place to add Zerks. Does anyone have any photos of the ball joints with Zerks installed? 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #1 – September 04, 2021, 01:19:48 pm Congrats Greg, you did find the ball joints! Look on the ***bottom*** side of each ball joint for a small bolt head that you remove and thread in the Zerk.If I have a chance in the next day or so, , I will take a photo of mine. Hope this helps.Steve K. 2 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #2 – September 04, 2021, 01:56:36 pm It appears yours have a circular cover that if popped off might reveal a threaded hole - but not certain. Someone else weigh in?Steve
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #3 – September 04, 2021, 02:02:32 pm More photos. Is it possible the newer chassis does not allow Zerk installation?
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #4 – September 04, 2021, 02:26:51 pm The current OEM Motorcraft ball joints are sealed "lubricated for life" units. However, Moog and some other manufacturers do offer ball joints for the E450 that have zerks or are threaded for zerks but are plugged. Charles
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #5 – September 04, 2021, 02:32:53 pm Thanks, Charles, I guess that explains it. Let’s hope the “life” lasts as long as I do, lol! I did find 4 Zerks for the steering linkage so added some red plastic caps to those. If anyone needs any Zerk fittings, I have a bunch!Steve K, I would still like to see your photos when you get a chance!
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #6 – September 04, 2021, 03:50:52 pm Our 2003 LD’s ball joints with added grease fittingshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157719771657803/Each ball joint, assuming Ford has not changed the design, has a small plastic plug threaded into threaded holes, one on the top ball joint and another on the lower ball joint.Remove a plug and take it to an auto parts store to match the thread size. They come in various sizes. I used 45-degree fittings. If the stock ball joints do not have threaded holes, do not attempt to drill and tap the holes, there is no way to keep the metal shavings out of the joint. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #7 – September 04, 2021, 06:26:15 pm Thanks Larry! You saved me from crawling under our rig to take pictures for Greg. What kind of grease are you using? I don't think I have seen red grease before.And Greg, I bet there is a way to add Zerks to your ball joints. Steve K. 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #8 – September 04, 2021, 07:55:32 pm Why doesn't Ford install items required for the use of their product? The chassis is $30,000 plus: what is the advantage to Ford to save a few dollars zerc fittings? I'm inclined to think zerc fittings may be problems - not solutions - for our use of the chassis. 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #9 – September 04, 2021, 08:41:45 pm Many 'grease monkeys' can't resist the 'if a little is good, more is better' mantra, and inject too much grease and blow out the rubber boots. Sometimes they use the generic grease which is the wrong stuff, and contaminate the proper Ford grease already in the fitting. Lots of reasons to limit access to these critical wear points. RonB
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #10 – September 04, 2021, 08:43:40 pm Yes, thanks for the photos! After three trips underneath to look, it wasn't obvious to me how Zerks could easily be added. No plastic plugs or metal bolts were observed. 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #11 – September 05, 2021, 12:57:31 am Quote from: Eric Greenwell - September 04, 2021, 07:55:32 pmWhy doesn't Ford install items required for the use of their product? The chassis is $30,000 plus: what is the advantage to Ford to save a few dollars zerk fittings? I'm inclined to think zerk fittings may be problems - not solutions - for our use of the chassis.All ball joints and steering tie-rod ends are now 'lubed for life', however long that life may be. It's an excellent way of maintaining continuing work for the auto dealer's shops. Most premium suspension and steering replacement parts include grease fittings.It's is interesting that Ford machines and threads the holes on the stock ball joints but doesn't include the fitting, this allows them to claim that little maintenance is required other than oil changes. When buying a Ford replacement ball joint, it's the same ball joint but with a zerk fitting. Why doesn't Ford doesn't include the grease fittings on all the moving parts? It's economics, at a quarter apiece, eliminating 20 million fittings a year saves money. This works OK on smaller cars but not so well on heavy trucks, the E450's ball joints absorb a huge amount of stress when banging down potholed roads. As the 'lubed for life' parts wear, the worn-away material continues to grind away on the moving surfaces. Adding grease fittings to the ball joints, and using them, helps keep the moving surfaces flushed clean of wear contaminants and coated with clean lubricant, helping to promote longer life.Adding zerks to the ball joint, and lubing every time the oil is changed, could double their life span. As long as the fittings are clean, when lubing, and a high-grade grease is used, there are no negative effects from adding grease fittings and using them regularly.I use Mobil 1 synthetic chassis grease, a quality lithium-based chassis grease is acceptable too. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #12 – September 05, 2021, 01:22:42 am My 2021 came with zerk fittings on the ball joints. 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #13 – September 06, 2021, 08:06:32 pm Quote from: tedeboy - September 05, 2021, 01:22:42 amMy 2021 came with zerk fittings on the ball joints.Pictures?Charles
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #14 – September 06, 2021, 11:55:46 pm I don't know if every E450 has the grease-fitting caps, all the older LDs I have looked at either had caps or grease fittings.It's odd that this would vary from year to year but it seems to be somewhat true.Looking at Rock Auto's site, Ford has stopped provide grease fitting for its Motorcraft E450's replacement ball joints, dropping their new and replacement ball joints from the premium-grade to value-grade. Premium-grade ball joints can be lubed. I would avoid Motorcraft replacement ball joints, 'Lubed for life' is code for 'a shorter life'. No big deal, having a new set of ball joints installed, with an alignment, shouldn't be much over $1500 or so. It's only a $200 DIY project, assuming you have all the tools and a full day. DIY alignments are tough and require another box full of expensive tools.This isn't a cheap lifestyle.2017 Motorcraft ball joint2017 FORD E-450 6.8L V10 Ball Joint | RockAuto Larry
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #15 – September 07, 2021, 08:27:50 am Ball joints on my 2003 were replaced with Moog parts.Premium Steering & Suspension Parts | Moog-Suspension-Parts.comYMMV, as always. 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #16 – September 07, 2021, 12:34:48 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - September 06, 2021, 08:06:32 pmPictures?Charles
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #17 – September 07, 2021, 01:09:25 pm Those are steering linkage (tie rod, drag link, and steering arm joints) lube points, not ball joints.Charles
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #18 – September 07, 2021, 01:39:19 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - September 07, 2021, 01:09:25 pmThose are steering linkage (tie rod, drag link, and steering arm joints) lube points, not ball joints.CharlesOops.My bad.So this is the lower ball joint?
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #19 – September 07, 2021, 01:52:40 pm Both upper and lower ball joints are in that picture. There are no zerks or plugs. Like Larry W said, Ford now only uses "lubed for life" units so you have to go after-market for units that can be lubricated.Charles 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #20 – September 07, 2021, 02:03:54 pm What you see is what you get. Without the capped, threaded holes, there is no way to install grease fittings, forget about drilling and threading the existing ball joints for fittings. There is no way to do it that will prevent metal shavings from entering the ball joint's mating surfaces and destroying them.Ford must be saving big bucks by eliminating the possibility of grease fitting and is ensuring that the ball joints will need replacement before the rest of the suspension and steering parts need replacement.I would expect the tie-rod grease fittings to disappear soon for new E450s, in an effort to further increase profits and to reduce prescribed maintenance. Most newer cars do not have any grease fittings, our Wranger has none.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #21 – September 07, 2021, 02:04:07 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - September 07, 2021, 01:52:40 pmBoth upper and lower ball joints are in that picture. There are no zerks or plugs. Like Larry W said, Ford now only uses "lubed for life" units so you have to go after-market for units that can be lubricated.CharlesI wonder at what mileage they should be changed?I would assume from the start?
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #22 – September 07, 2021, 02:36:52 pm In my youth (1970s), I replaced ball joints on a number of cars. At that time, many ball joints were fastened to the chassis with heavy rivets. Drilling out the rivets was the worst part of the job. I’m pleased to see that the E-450 ball joints are fastened with cotter keyed nuts. I presume that this will simplify the job. I’m curious, from those that have replaced their E-450 ball joints, what are the key/difficult aspects of the job?W 1 Likes
Re: Ball Joint Lubrication Reply #23 – September 07, 2021, 04:39:00 pm Quote from: WhiteElk - September 07, 2021, 02:36:52 pmI’m pleased to see that the E-450 ball joints are fastened with cotter-keyed nuts. I presume that this will simplify the job. I’m curious, from those that have replaced their E-450 ball joints, what are the key/difficult aspects of the job?After having the right, lower ball joint start failing a thousand miles from home, I changed all of our LD's ball joints three years ago, it was an all-day project and it needed front-end alignment afterward.A HD ball joint press is needed to press them out, they do not come out easily.Instead of rivets, the ball joints are pressed into the knuckles and secured with snap rings, the cotter keys secure the tapered pins that attach the ball joints to the axle.I use an OTC ball joint press puller. I had destroyed a Harbor Freight ball joint press before, working on one of my Jeeps, and ended up buying the pro-grade tool years ago.Amazon.com: OTC 7249 Ball Joint, U-Joint, and Brake Anchor Pin Service Kit...Besides the puller, a bigger air compressor and 1/2" impact wrench are handy, as well as a 3 or 5-lb hammer, jacks stands, and a large hydraulic jack. The replacements I used were A/C Delco professional-grade ball joints, with grease fittings.When a ball joint is being pressed out, and it refuses to budge, whacking the side of the knuckle with the hammer, where the ball joint is pressed in, can help pop it loose. Spraying the ball joints with a penetrating oil a day or two before can ease the process.Just be aware of how heavier the parts are, compared to passenger cars.It's a project for the advanced shade tree mechanic. Warren, your rig has low miles on it, it will be a while before you will need to change the ball joints, the important thing is to check them periodically for wear.Larry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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