Ball Joints and Tie Rod ends

[MississippiMaro]

Hey guys it's been a while since i've posted, but then again it's been a while since i've worked on the 'maro. Just a reminder to anyone doing ball joints and tie rod ends: They MUST be greased thoroughly with a grease gun before you slap the tire back on. I did mine for the first time last year in the fall and they looked like they had been greased from the manufacturer. So after installing them and not greasing them, 9 months later, I get a horrible squeaking and creaking from my front end. They were pretty worn too from being used metal on metal for 9 months. I hope this helps anyone attempting or considering this install, because I had to learn the hard way. Now my front end is nice and silent (except for the worn bushings on the a-arms......sigh)

[hockeyman]

I thought they were sealed and couldn't be greased If they have regular greasing intervals, I better get my A$$ in gear! They are probably bone-dry by now.

-Marc

[MississippiMaro]

They are if you have OEM/Factory tie-rod ends and ball joints. If you install AutoZone/Advance Auto parts brand, they are servicable.

[hockeyman]

Should I install aftermarket joints? What is the life expectancy of the OEM's??

-Marc

[Dominic]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by hockeyman:
Should I install aftermarket joints? What is the life expectancy of the OEM's??

-Marc<hr></blockquote>

Quite a while if you regrease them once every 15K to 30K... Its not hard, people just aren't used to maintenance.

I wish I had repackable bearings all around my car, but I don't.

[MississippiMaro]

I replaced my OEM joints/ends at about 125,000 miles - they were very loose. You'd be surprised how much play in the steering is eliminated when you replace those two components. Now I have to do upper ball joints, cause they're in need of it but i think i'm just going to replace both a-arms with the 1LE arms from GMpartsdirect.com. That takes care of a lot of worn suspension components.

[MississippiMaro]

hockeyman....btw....i know this is off topic, but gimme a shout in the off-topic lounge some time if you wanna talk about hockey. I play right wing in a Men's league down here in mississippi.

[hockeyman]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MississippiMaro:
hockeyman....btw....i know this is off topic, but gimme a shout in the off-topic lounge some time if you wanna talk about hockey. I play right wing in a Men's league down here in mississippi.<hr></blockquote>

Check the lounge

-Marc

[2000camaroRS]

i just replaced mine and i have a creaking and crappy sounds coming from the front end when i turn the wheel...i think its cuz i haven't greased them...how do u do this??? thanx

[MississippiMaro]

You'll need to raise the vehicle on each side and remove the wheel (unless your grease gun can fit in very tight places) There is a brass nipple called a grease fitting on the underside of the ball joint. If you purchased aftermarket ball joints, you have to install this (it comes with the ball joint) It screws into the underside with a small ratchet fairly easily. Next, purchase a grease gun if you haven't already and get a flexible hose attachment if not included and a tube of grease. I used chevron chassis grease with teflon. Although any chassis grease will do. For ball joints, about ten pumps on the handle should be enough. Hope this helps.