Another grease zerk question.

[KarL45]

So, today, after nearly 2 years of wondering, finally found and confirmed the front drive shaft constant velocity joint grease zerk. Had wondered if it existed and after about 3 different times asking the dealership, and being told it didn't exist, I now know it does for sure. So, finding a needle with a small tip was the first challenge but now wonder how it is lubed as it takes ether something curved or something about 12" in length and no larger than 3/16" in diameter. Has anyone greased their joint and if so, what did you use. My needle is only about 5" and of course the coupling is right there against the cross member causing the angle to be incorrect to seat properly. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks Also plan on returning it to the dealer next week and showing the lube person there is a lube fitting.

 

[Hootbro]

I used this grease fitting attached to a 12" rubber flex hose on my grease gun:

Amazon.com: Lincoln Lubrication 5803 Grease Needle Nozzle: Automotive

My process is to make sure the cup and detent ball is clean of any dirt and old grease. Using a small pick or scribe tool, I push in the detent ball to make sure it is movable so I am not fighting making a mess of greasing going anywhere but into the zerk fitting.

I then make sure the grease fitting is at the 8 O'clock position looking aft and firmly press the needle fitting tip into the cup holding firmly and using the other hand to exercise the grease gun. Anything but firm pressure of the needle fitting tip into the cup will just put grease everywhere but in the fitting. Ideally, you want to pump enough until it starts to come out the backside. Since this is your first time and it is probably dry, it will take a few pumps to get enough grease into the joint.

I will say upfront, it is not the most intuitive way to grease something but once you get it right, you will know from then on how to do it and it will get easier.

 

[Rustycowl69]

I don't know if this will work in this particular application, but here is what I used to grease my new daughter-in-law's Ranger 4x4. I used a little grease gun I have for greasing my bicycle pedals. I bought it at Harbor Freight for like $5. It's about 6 inches long, and it works like a piston.You push on the end of it and it hydraulically pumps in the grease through the integral male needle fitting end. It actually worked better than the other half dozen full size grease guns I have with angled ends and flexible attachments, etc. at least in this particular situation .

 

[Darwin]

I saw the sticker under the hood to lube the zerk fitting on the front driveline and I actually found the recessed fitting. But I couldn't get any grease into it with the variety of different nozzles I took it to one dealer that had no idea what I was talking about. So I found another and they greased it for me for under $20.00. It felt much better knowing it was lubricated and that I wasn't crazy. I'm getting old or I would have found a way to do it myself. 2014 2500 4x4.

 

[KarL45]

Darwin, lol That's pretty much me as well. And "your dealer" couldn't lube it ether? Hummmmm Will agree that it is in a very difficult spot though.
That I plan on keeping the Ram for many years, think I will attempt to fabricate a needle that will do the job. Sad though that you "had to pay" to get it lubed. I just had my last oil and lube performed through the dealer last week. From this point forward I will do the maintenance myself. That said, do plan on going back to them to have them do the job and be aware that there is a lube zerk. I specifically requested at the time of service that it be lubed. Don't suppose you happened to see what the shop used that got yours lubed?

 

[Darwin]

Yes I did see the tool used and it is very similar to the one shown above that Hootbro posted. Although I have one like that and couldn't get it to work. I think you have to hold your mouth just right too.

 

[Rustycowl69]

you can lead them to water, but you can't make them drink. The needle tips that I've seen at O'Reilly are too wide, and don't fit in the zerk well. Hence you pump the grease, and it goes everywhere but where you want it to go. Try the flexible hose if it makes you feel better. Maybe it will work better for you, but I doubt it.