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I feel dumb. Grease zerk fittings, help.

Ok, I knew that there had to be a reason they call it Jiffy LUBE, but I really didn't know why. It seems that my service manual for my 1992 XJ requires that certain chassis parts be lubricated with grease. I didn't know really, my dad was a computer geek and 40 hours a week so am I. So I guess that I probably have some permanent damage done to previous vehicles...

Anyway. I have know idea how to operate a grease gun or even what a zerk fittings look like (aside from a Google image search.) In fact I've never heard of a zerk before in my life. What other tips do you have for lubrication? What permanent damage should I look for while I'm underneath? I can tell you already there are a whole lot of bushings underneath that look cracked and compressed.

Also I saw instructions on inspecting the front wheel bearings in the service manual. If I have the wheel disassembled should I just go ahead and replace the bearings. It seems like a lot of work for a simple inspection.

Please help, I certainly do not want the front end to fall apart on the freeway on the way to work in the morning. That would be very bad. If I had the money to fix that kind of damage I would be driving a much newer Jeep.

Reply to
wfpearson
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Your wheel bearings are sealed units. When bad, you have to buy the whole hub. One sure sign of a bad wheel bearing is a low brake pedal after every turn that tales one pump to come back up high. You also can just jack up each front tire and see if it wobbles loosely.

There could be a pile of grease nipples or zirks as some call them or there might be none at all....

Most factory parts don't come with grease fittings, the are throw away parts now. You can get aftermarket parts with grease fittings and 'some' factory parts have them so it is hit and miss what yours has under there.

All or some or none of the u-joints could have zirks. You likely have 7 U-joints in total, 5 for sure.

Not much you can do for ratty bushings except just change them out.

We have some lube places where you can actually watch the tech doing the job. Maybe have one of them do the first one while you watch to see where if anywhere he can get grease in?

Mike

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Reply to
Mike Romain

Zerk fittings look like this.

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They are quite small, maybe a quarter inch for the whole photo. The threaded end threads into a steering, suspension or drive line joint, and the grease gun fitting fits over the rounded nipple. The nipple is usually covered with dried grease and dirt, which you want to remove with a wire brush or rag. Not all parts that move or turn have zerk fittings. Some use rubber bushings that do not require lubrication.

The wheel bearings last a long time, and cannot be lubricated during their service life. If you have a half decent service manual, it will tell you the proper procedure for detecting unacceptable wear in them.

Earle

Reply to
Earle Horton

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