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Topic: Lubricating a Chassis, My Take on it. (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
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Lubricating a Chassis, My Take on it.
Yahoo Message Number: 57217
Guys and girls, I have always been a believer, as previously stated, in knowing my equipment. I have dealt in, collected, bought and sold collectable cars, antique, cars, antique tractors all my adult life.
I have tried to stay abrest of the auto industry. I actually enjoy getting under a vehicle or crawling around an antique tractor--great therapy during a stressful carreer. Over my adult lifetime I've ovserved many vehicles, both well maintained and not so well maintained.
Several years back the auto industry went to lifetime lubrication on front end parts. Their reasoning was that people were blowing grease seals/boots and allowing water intrusion.  On some vehicles today you will find no lubrication points. This is generally good.
The seals contain the lifetime lubrication in and the water and road debris out. Some manufacturers have gone to partial lubrication on critical points.
Here is the problem: So long as the integrety of that seal is maintained the part should last a lifetime. At least they were advertised as "lifetime lubrication." And what is a lifetime??? But, get a little water or winter salt mixture under that seal and you have a very short lived part. Water intrusion into front end parts is not uncommon, after all they are a foot from the road and are subject to splash.
As I mentioned earlier in this thread, Ford replaced all four balljoints on my 1995 E350 chassis while under warranty. Reason, and the service manager agreed with me, the boots or seals were cracked and left debris into the ball joints.
So for my part, I will install fittings on my new E450 ball joints and lubricate them. I will not blow the seals/covers. I will insert enough grease to maintain a pressure on the seal/cover.
Yes, as mentioned by someone else, it is important to unload a ball joint prior to lubricating it. As mentioned by the same person, it takes someone with skill, knowlege, and time to do the job right.
BTW, my Jeep Wrangler Towed has lubrication points on the ball joints that I meticulusly lubricate after each off road trip.
Thanks for listening, sorry so long to you folks on dial up or wireless,

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