Question about upper knuckle ball stud

Hi all...I have an 01 Grand Cherokee. In the owners manual at the

90,000 mile service says that the upper knuckle ball stud needs to be lubricated. I went to the dealer where I get the jeep serviced and the service manager had no idea what that component was, nor was he inclined to ask anyone. Strange behavior I know, but that aside, exactly what and where is the upper knuckle ball stud?

thanks in advance....

Larry Greenwood

Reply to
Larry
Loading thread data ...

That's where the steering knuckle connects to the axle. There is usually a zerk fitting on the top of it. Just mind you don't dribble grease all over the brake disc.

You can reach it by turning the wheels toward the side you are working on then going over, but it's easier to just take the wheel off and while you are in there inspect the rotor and pads.

Generic drawing.

formatting link

Reply to
DougW

Thanks for the picture Doug...The dealer is telling me that the front end components on an 01 GC dont need lubricating, in spite of the fact that the owners manual says it does.

Larry

Reply to
Larry

That could very well be the case. The stock ones in my ZJ don't have zerks but the aftermarket replacement does. Still a good idea to look and while you are there check the drive shafts and other components that take lube.

Reply to
DougW

Not having zerks doesn't mean that they don't need lubing. Is there a place, possibly plugged, to screw in a zerk?

Reply to
J. Clarke

The fact that you can't grease/lubricate something doesn't mean it doesn't need it! In my 2004 Dodge 2500, I've had to replace just about everthing that *should* have had a zerk fitting for grease because the factory lubrication was only sufficient to get past the 36K mile warranty.

Reply to
PeterD

ouch....you just gotta to love Chrysler!

Larry

Reply to
Larry

ok Doug...I will check on that...Larry

Reply to
Larry

Our 2004 Jeep Liberty doesn't have Zerk fittings on the upper and lower ball joints either! If you were to rip or tear the upper ball joint rubber boot for example, you'd have to replace the whole control arm as Chrysler does not sell just the boot or ball joint separately!

It's nice having after market upper control arms with a replaceable Moog ball joint...

Reply to
socks09

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.