6.4L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.4L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2008 Super-Duty trucks. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.4L Power Stroke engine.
Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
I am curious why the 450 get greasable ball joints, u-joints, and steering linkage but the 250/350's do not. Don't they all use the Dana model 60 front axle, the 450 just being a bit wider. I was happy to see grease fittings(zercs) on the front axle u-joints in addition to the ball joints, something I really miss with my '04 250. I figure regular maintenance of these will greatly extend their lives. How much more would it cost, can't be much?
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2008 F-450 Lariat Dark Stone Metallic over Pueblo Gold 4x4(manual shift transfer case, manual hubs), High capacity tow 4:88s, Off Road, Camper packages, Sirius Sat, Upfitter switches, DVD entertainment, tailgate step, traction control, Audiophile 6-disc, PTC Supplemental heat and heated seats(warm buns), rear sensors, traction control, tailgate step. Built May 8, delivered May 24
Reese Signature Series 24k fiver hitch, I installed it myself, best hitch I have found yet
Line-X bedliner, heavy duty floor mats
2003 Sunline F281SR(weekend getaways)
SeaRay 215EC http://community.webshots.com/user/C...host=community
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
If I remeber right the F-250 & F-350 use a Dana 60, but the F-450 & F-550 use a Dana Super 60. The Dana Super 60 is supposed to have thicker tubes, bigger u-joints and a larger ring gear. The Super 60 is also a 7000# axle, where as the standard Dana 60 is 6000#.
I think the F-350 DRW Tow Boss also gets the Super 60.
__________________ '04 F-250 Harley-Davidson 6.0L CC SB
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
Hypothetically, wouldn't it be possible to add "zercs" (are they really called that? What's the difference between zercs and greasepoints?) to the joints? Or to replace the existing joints with greasable ones?
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
I grew up working on aircraft and that is the term I was taught. Not sure of it's origin. I do know those that have had ball joint failure have replaced the stock part with aftermarket such as Moog that does indeed come with greasable fittings. Problem is, cost of labor is quite a bit, parts not very expensive. Would be nice to have it from the factory equipped.
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2008 F-450 Lariat Dark Stone Metallic over Pueblo Gold 4x4(manual shift transfer case, manual hubs), High capacity tow 4:88s, Off Road, Camper packages, Sirius Sat, Upfitter switches, DVD entertainment, tailgate step, traction control, Audiophile 6-disc, PTC Supplemental heat and heated seats(warm buns), rear sensors, traction control, tailgate step. Built May 8, delivered May 24
Reese Signature Series 24k fiver hitch, I installed it myself, best hitch I have found yet
Line-X bedliner, heavy duty floor mats
2003 Sunline F281SR(weekend getaways)
SeaRay 215EC http://community.webshots.com/user/C...host=community
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
It's spelled "Zerk"
"Zerk - A name commonly used for a grease fitting. Named in 1922 for its developer, Oscar U. Zerk, an employee of the Alamite Corporation. A grease fitting is also called an Alamite fitting."
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The 2003 F250 Crewcab 6.0L: Web page
The 6.0L Bible: Web page
The 6.4L Bible: Web page
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
The 450 is designed to be a work truck first, a personal tow vehicle second, as this is the first year it has been offered in this configuration. The 450 is used for tow trucks and other light commercial applications. As such it is designed to be maintained.
The older 350 was like this. The non greaseable components will generally last ok for a personal consumer who trades off the truck by warranty end or who puts limited mileage on the unit. The 450 and up are designed for commercial use where the truck is going to work 8 hours a day (or more) 7 days a week, often in adverse conditions.
The greaseable ones are available after market for replacement of the non greaseable ones. Some of the units without fittings actually have a plug where the fitting should be and can be easily retrofitted.
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'03, F-350 Lariet, CC, DRW, 5sp torquemaster, 4X4, 4.10ls, Sonic Blue monotone. Hijacker 16K full pivot/slider 5th wh hitch. One PRETTY truck [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] UPDATE: Truck is still performing poorly, though it is better since the last reflash that removed the EBP sensor inputs. Has definately been the worst truck I've owned in my 30 years driving Fords.
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
D-60 on my 86 F-350 has them too.
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1986 F-350-Cummins 4-wd (converted to dually) flatbed. 1994 p-pump 160hp 12v Cummins conversion with a few minor bombs. Well over 200k miles.
1993 F-350 4x4 SRW 4 dr 460/auto. 157K completely stock.
Re: Why zercs on 450 ball joints, but not on 250/350, all Dana 60's
Yes, most of the older trucks had them. All of my older 250 and 350 Fords did with the exception of my '00 350.
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'03, F-350 Lariet, CC, DRW, 5sp torquemaster, 4X4, 4.10ls, Sonic Blue monotone. Hijacker 16K full pivot/slider 5th wh hitch. One PRETTY truck [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] UPDATE: Truck is still performing poorly, though it is better since the last reflash that removed the EBP sensor inputs. Has definately been the worst truck I've owned in my 30 years driving Fords.
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'04 F-250 Harley-Davidson 6.0L CC SB 
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