Grease zerks “dry”

WV_Crusader · October 14, 2023

7 hours ago, newdude said:

How so? Its not part of PDI check over. They are initially lubed from the component manufacturer.

Assuming its a good dealer, it is just a routine part of regular maintenance once the truck is sold and in the customer's possession. They often get overlooked for service though as 99% of the other vehicles GM makes no longer have zerks.

My thing is why not have pride in your work and brand. I believe that is something the world needs more of. Not trying to argue just my view.

MTU Alum · October 17, 2023

The ball joints are designed to go without grease. There has been a long standing debate if we should remove the zerks altogether.

#iworkforGM

Grumpy Bear · October 17, 2023

1 hour ago, MTU Alum said:

The ball joints are designed to go without grease. There has been a long standing debate if we should remove the zerks altogether.

#iworkforGM

Are they made from Unobtainium?

:rollin:

diyer2 · October 17, 2023

If they didn't need grease, there wouldn't be a zerk.

Grumpy Bear · October 18, 2023

3 hours ago, diyer2 said:

If they didn't need grease, there wouldn't be a zerk.

You're smart guy. What parts in movement don't need some form of lubrication? (Rhetorical and in humor).

the8rotor · October 18, 2023

I did grease up with some RedLine CV-2 last weekend when I completed an oil change on the ol' guzzler. Truck is noticeably smoother driving since. Joints weren't "dry," but definitely had only minimal amount of grease in them.

I put 4-6 good pumps in each zerk, barely inflating any of the rubber boots.

64BAwagon · October 18, 2023

I had a 1999 Sierra 1500 that had the ball joints with no grease fittings. They made it less than 15k before the dealer replaced them with greaseable units. I would like to think the technology has advanced for the sealed units but in todays world where everything is made of Chinesium I am doubtful. I saw a recent video where MOOG is using a teflon or nylon material in their sealed units. It doesnt sound like the service life is very good on them.

Grumpy Bear · October 18, 2023

What they are trying to do is make everything as cheap as possible, charge thrice for it and get away with it.

It's working. :idiot:

newdude · October 18, 2023

19 hours ago, MTU Alum said:

The ball joints are designed to go without grease. There has been a long standing debate if we should remove the zerks altogether.

#iworkforGM

The sealed ones in the 1500s typically last quite some time on 100% stock trucks, at least based on what I've seen at work. Many in the GMT-900 and K2XX platform will easily go 80+thousand miles and still be on stock joints. Uppers have a bad time when leveled.

That said, they are 1500s. The HD trucks should keep them as they are way more typically exposed to higher front end loads (Duramax engine, snow plows on gas and especially diesels) so to me the ability to keep those components well lubricated is worth keeping otherwise there will be a much shorter service life for ball joints (and steering linkages) on plow trucks like over at camp Ford and camp Ram.

Jettech1 · October 23, 2023

On 10/17/2023 at 5:22 PM, MTU Alum said:

The ball joints are designed to go without grease. There has been a long standing debate if we should remove the zerks altogether.

#iworkforGM

How is that possible? It's a moving ball and socket design that moves in most all directions. Is the ball and socket coated in some kind of permanent lubricant or coating perhaps?