Lower ball joint grease fitting
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Lower ball joint grease fitting
Hey guys I have small problem hopefully someone can help me. I am not the original owner of 87 coupe. Upon cleaning the underside of the car I noticed I was missing the grease zerk on lower ball joint drivers side. I figured no big deal just screw another one in....the threads are gone...I tried drilling for a larger thread but the area where the fitting went it is hardened. Any ideas for putting a fitting in or do I replace the ball joint. They have been changed by looking at them. I was thinking of JB weld..any ideas out there...thx....ol vette
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Thx. For the reply PatternDayTrader.....you don’t think JB weld would hold the grease fitting in good enough....my vette is sleeping under its blanket for the winter so now is the time to do something....I guess I could quit being so cheap and replace the ball joint....but the boot is good, no sloppiness I am trying to find a way to grease it now...my wife always says the older I get the cheaper I have become.....oh well
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From: Lansing MI
You could try and scab it together with JB. It wont hurt anything to try. You just need to be able to get grease into it. The worst that can happen is you end up replacing the ball joint anyway.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Not knowing what you've done I'd think you try a 1/4-28 zerk that's self threading. I think in zerk terminology it's considered "thread forming". That is I believe the size I'd expect in probably 90%+ zerks for suspension components.
****There is such a thing as 6mm thread forming so maybe you visit a local auto parts store and maybe ask them to check with the tech line of whatever brand they sell to see what's used. You of course don't know brand but I don't believe you need to tell them that OR maybe buy/try both. I'd think that likely the fitting is 'loose' in the box with a new so maybe you just find one local and check it.
****There is such a thing as 6mm thread forming so maybe you visit a local auto parts store and maybe ask them to check with the tech line of whatever brand they sell to see what's used. You of course don't know brand but I don't believe you need to tell them that OR maybe buy/try both. I'd think that likely the fitting is 'loose' in the box with a new so maybe you just find one local and check it.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 7, 2018 at 05:05 PM.
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I tried a 1/4 fitting but the size of hole in the ball joint is too big now, I tried a 8 mm that is where I found out the area was hardened. I could not drill it. I purchased a 90 degree 8 mm as well as a 1/4 grease fitting that was my idea of J B weld because the 1/4 inch fitting will go into the ball joint but NO THREADS left. The 8mm is just a tad too big for the ball joint hole...that is my problem.....thx. guys
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Get a 'drive zerk' that you can use then. There are various sizes
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 90
Likes: 13
Get a 'drive zerk' that you can use then. There are various sizes
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html
This forum is great.....thx. to all who replied.....ol vette
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Get a 'drive zerk' that you can use then. There are various sizes
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html
https://www.saeproducts.com/drive-ty...-fittings.html