93*Corvette

I know that this seems stupid, but I have never greased a zerk fitting. My question is I just replaced my ball joints. Since they are new, I know they need grease. I just bought a grease gun, I tried the tip and it fit the fitting...

Now what? How do I know how much grease to put in it? I'm afraid to pump too much in and end up ruining the ball joint.... How do you tell the proper "level"?

CentralCoaster

Hold the end onto the zerk fitting snugly and squeeze the handle twice. Don't worry about overpacking it. The extra grease will ooze out as the ball joint moves around. Wipe off the grease so it doesn't attract dust. You can also get some small red caps for the grease fittings.

hthebeard

On all the cars I have used a grease gun on, I just keep pumping until grease starts to ooze out of seal, but don't take my word for it because I have never done it on a Vette, and make sure the tip is locked on to the fitting before you start pumping.

93*Corvette

I actually pumped it about 5 times... The rubber on the ball joint didn't seem to be getting bigger... so I stopped.... Did I damage it? Can you take the zerk fitting out to release the pressure?

93*Corvette

I've heard the you can see it ooze on U-joints... Never knew how they did it on ball joints....

hthebeard

Like I said before, you need to make sure the tip of gun is locked onto fitting and you should be able to feel it snap in place. Some force may be necessary.

or92vette

You pumped 5 times?

You're fine....

If anything, underfilled. I normally pump until I see or hear grease exiting the joint.

Don't take the zerk out.

Do wipe off any excess....

Now...repeat in 5K miles!

hthebeard

Just keep pumpen until you see grease coming out. I never stop pumping until I get off completely

93*Corvette

The tip is snapping on correctly... I tried it on the old ball joint and saw how the grease actually gets in... So I know that the grease is getting into the fitting.... What I didn't know is how much to put in which CentralCoaster has explained.... I really appreciate it guys

I just didn't want to "overfill" it and have to spend another $50 at the machine shop.

moserbe

You're fine, enjoy!!!

Aardwolf

If it's overfilled it can drop off onto the inside of the rim and get slung all over on your rotor etc. I squeeze the boot with my hand and pump the gun, feeling for the boot to enlarge. You don't need the boot bulging way out.

CentralCoaster

If they are properly lubed than it doesn't take too many pumps. If you're lubing the first time pump more.

Basically the bearings in there require a certain % of air space to work properly. You really can't overfill it, it's not a sealed bearing, the extra grease will come out on its own.