frankart3@hotmail said:
:dunno:
ok...this is embarrassing....but like I said...I am an extreme newbie.
I want to lubricate the steering linkage...I know what the steering linkage is, I've got the right lube, I have a grease gun...so what the heck do I do?
How much grease?
Do I have to disassemble the parts first?
It is so basic that I can't find and answer for it.
ps. I will pay up and become an official member this evening...i promise.
I've seen worse...
You see those little nipples on the side or back of the part? That's where the fitting for the grease gun goes. You'll feel and maybe hear a slight "click" when it's fully seated. (They're called "zerks", by the by. consider yourself edified...)
As far as how much, you'll see grease start to ooze out from under the boot when the joint/part is full. Note this grease - and, if it's been a while, rub a bit between your fingers. If it feels gritty, you can flush the joint out by continuing to pump grease (slowly!) into the joint until the stuff that comes out is clear. I usually use red moly chassis grease - not only can I tell when I've flushed the old stuff out, but the bright red colour makes it easier to spot contamination.
If you have a habit of driving through deep water, keep a small grease gun in your rig - so you can flush out the joints. Also, you may find it better to use a lithium-based EP grease, since it's more water-resistant (it's the stuff used on boat trailer wheel bearings.)
Pump slowly! If you go too fast, you'll blow out a boot and have to replace it. If you go slowly, you'll ooze grease out from under the boot anyhow, but you won't disturb the seal anywhere near as much (and you'll just wipe off the excess grease with a rag when you're done.)
[
Forgot - no, you don't have to disassemble anything first. Might as well get your ball joints while you're down there - top and bottom of the steering knuckles. And all seven of the universal joints, but you'll need an adapter for the Double Cardan on the front driveshaft and a "long-reach" adapter for the zerks on the front wheel joints... -
Ed.]