twhite

I have a Dodge 02 automatic entended cab dually

Does anyone know how many zert fitting there are and their locations? I want to verify that all zerts are getting greased when I get my truck serviced.

Thanks

Tim

fschiola

The only grease fittings on mine are the upper ball joints and the drivers side of the track bar. Precious few in IMO.

j-fox

I think the answer is two/ both!!
They are on the steering links. they didn't put them on the ball joints. I was told the truck doen't need them. The parts are lifetime greased from the factory. When they wear out early, their life is over. Simple isn't it!!
So far I can't find ball joints with zerts as a replacement part.

phox_mulder

Yup, 2002's have 2.

Mine now has 10, as all 4 of my control arms have them on both sides.

Can Dodge be bothered to shoot some grease in them while they're greasing up the factory ones?

No, of course not.

Only factory zerks are include in the lube.

Time to go get myself a grease gun I guess.


phox

dodgediesel4x4

Anyone know of any particular grease to use when greasing the fittings? I almost bought a grease gun yesterday at NAPA for $18.25 but I didn't know what exact grease to use. Any help?

infidel

Muti-Purpose grease is fine.

I've added zerks to many trucks with the "lubed for life" joints. Just drill the appropriate sized hole into the thin metal on the top of the joint, stop when you hit plastic, and screw in a self tapping zerk (available at the auto parts).
Some of the joints are difficult to get at unless you use an angle drill.

fschiola

That's a good idea, I didn't know it'd work.

j-fox

The joint still needs a passage for the grease to travel in.
I doubt that you have helped it any.

Jeremy Cusick

Infidel, THANK YOU for spelling Zerk correctly! What's he win, folks?
I've considered drilling the upper ball joints on mine (lowers already replaced) and put zerks in. I know a trick to keep the cuttings from going down the hole... coat the drill bit with a liberal coat of grease (mainly the flutes). That way, the cuttings will stick to the grease instead of falling down the hole.

Infidel, how much clearance did you have on those uppers? I'll bet that's where you needed the angle drill, huh?

As far as drilling sealed ball joints for zerks not working, I've heard of alot of people doing this to many different makes and models of vehicles, and getting alot more life from their ball joints compared to what everyone is getting from theirs.

Scubasteve

I cut apart the old tie rod ends on my truck to see if that may be the case which it wasn't. The rod end will take grease and distribute it properly but you must remember to put a small hole or a cut in the boot( in one of the folds preferably) to allow the old grease some place to go.


Jason

infidel

The grease must get from top to bottom somehow as the boot swells up when you pump grease in the new zerk. I've never cut a boot myself but always limit ball joint lubing to just one or two pumps of the gun. This goes for OEM as well as added zerks.

Jeremy, if I remember correctly the outer ball joints can be drilled with a regular drill if you remove the wheels and turn the steering hard each way. The tuff one is on top of the joint on the pitman arm.

There is a reason for non-greaseable joints - they will last longer than greaseable ones that don't get greased.
Maintenance made for dummies.

j-fox

Thanks for the info.

TPilaske

There are 3... I just lubed mine again today... 1 on each upper ball joint and one right by the front diff cover...

twhite

It is odd that there are so many conflicting responses as to how many zerks there are in my 2002. BTW, I just replace the number 2 and 3 U-joints on my truck. The old U-joint that the mechanic showed me had a zerk on it.

infidel

I think the conflict is beacuse 4wds have one more zerk on the track bar.