[flyingv2003PS]

So I replaced my front ball joints last September using Moog replacements with grease zerks. Yesterday I noticed the zerks on the uppers on both sides had broken off. Probably got hit by the axles u-joint as there was not much clearance at all.
Anybody have any suggestions on where I can get some very low profile replacement zerks so this does nto happen again?
It's going to suck pulling them axles again just to do this! Err!

 

[redcell6613]

Have a look on Google for spindle grease fittings. These are the only low profile ones I know of.....they use the needle attachment on the grease gun. I ended up going with non greasable ball joints, glad I did after reading your post. I never would have thought there would be any contact there.

 

[24hrsparkey]

on the upper joints , did you install the straight or 90* grease fittings ?

 

[FMTRVT]

Moog's intent was to put the straight fitting on the uppers, then use a sideways coupler to grease.

There are supposed to be low profile 90 degree zerks but I have never used them.

 

[flyingv2003PS]

I originally used the 90's that came with the ball joints.
I installed straight zerks on Saturday and picked up a sideway adaptor fitting for my grease gun. It seems to work.
I was surprised how much side play is in the axle shaft at the u-joint. Hopefully the straight ones don't get broken off. I used some anti-sieze on the threads just in case. Laying on my back trying to extract a broken zerk is not fun. First one came out easy, second one I had to remove the knuckle.

 

[fordsforever73]

When you had it apart, was the locking hub and inner spindle bearing in good shape? These two things are what keep the outer axle and therefore the u-joint on a relatively straight plane. I left the 90's on my upper ball joints and they're still there.

 

[flyingv2003PS]

Yep, everything looked good. The bearing hubs only have about 8000 miles on them. In retrospect, I think what happened was my transfer case shift motor went bad in July. The truck was in 4WD (un-beknown to me) on the highway and when I turned off on a paved driveway, the front tires were fighting each other for traction real bad. I heard some knocking in the front end at the time. I think the axles were being torqued so bad they flexed and hit the zerks. Anyway, I feel better now knowing I have a lot more space between the zerks and the axle, and I can't garantee when I'll torque those wheels enough to flex the axles. Hopefully it will never be a problem again.