New ball joint won't take grease... junk?

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Corbin Johnson, May 1, 2010.

  1. Corbin Johnson

    Corbin Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,726
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    148
    Location:
    Sonoma County, California
    Vehicle:
    73 LDO, 72 Sprint, 70 Grabber.
    Hi all,

    It seems like I take one step forward and another back every time I work on the 70. I have a new front end kit that I put in. All but one upper ball joint take grease. I have tried turning the wheels and trying to grease at every position, taking weight off the suspension, everything. I even pulled the spindle off and tried to grease it while moving the ball joint around with my hand - when I try to pump grease it will almost seize up and then with enough wiggling around it will loosen up again.

    Any tips on getting it to take the grease, or is it junk? If I can't get it to work, I think I'll replace the ball joints with new Mogg ones. This issue on a new ball joint doesn't make me confident in the quality of the others even though they greased up fine.

    -Corbin
     
    Corbin Johnson, May 1, 2010
    #1
  2. Boosha

    Boosha Built to run hard

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    586
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye State
    Vehicle:
    69.5 Maverick,1964.5 Mustang,1966 T-Bird
    That hapened to me on an upper ball joint.Turns out it wasn't drilled and assembled correctly.Send it back.
     
    Boosha, May 1, 2010
    #2
  3. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2007
    Messages:
    6,759
    Likes Received:
    272
    Trophy Points:
    273
    Location:
    Buffalo N.Y.
    Vehicle:
    1972 Maverick 2 door.Original V-8 3 spd std shift.Also a 72 one owner Sprint sporting a 351 Windsor
    Sometimes...The grease fitting will bottom out in the joint (actually hitting the top of the ball) Happens with not the best quality stuff. Try turning the fitting loose a turn or so and greasing the joint. Or get a new grease fitting, I have seen new ones not flow grease.
     
    Mavman72, May 1, 2010
    #3
  4. Corbin Johnson

    Corbin Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,726
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    148
    Location:
    Sonoma County, California
    Vehicle:
    73 LDO, 72 Sprint, 70 Grabber.
    That's what I'm thinking. :mad:

    Great suggestion. I just went down and unfortunately it didn't work. I loosened the fitting and no change. I also took out the fitting, and the grease pumps through it just fine.
     
    Corbin Johnson, May 1, 2010
    #4
  5. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    4,132
    Likes Received:
    1,159
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Kennewick, WA
    Vehicle:
    1971 Maverick Grabber
    Hate to say it but with suspension parts you really do get what you pay for. I like Moog, never had a problem with any of their stuff. I won't even touch TRW, just junk. I went through two sets of lower ball joints on my GTO in no time at all. They were out of spec right from the get go and the alignment shop wouldn't stand behind the alignment because of it. Stuffed in the Moog's and we were golden.
     
    RMiller, May 2, 2010
    #5
  6. Corbin Johnson

    Corbin Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,726
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    148
    Location:
    Sonoma County, California
    Vehicle:
    73 LDO, 72 Sprint, 70 Grabber.
    Yeah. I guess now, my question now is should I replace all 4 of them since I have it apart now. I'm leaning that way. Time to do some calling around tomorrow.
     
    Corbin Johnson, May 2, 2010
    #6
  7. Jamie Miles

    Jamie Miles the road warrior

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2005
    Messages:
    12,098
    Likes Received:
    29
    Trophy Points:
    383
    Location:
    Lawrenceville, GA
    Vehicle:
    13 Mavericks
    Moog is the only way to go. The cheap ones wear out very fast.
     
    Jamie Miles, May 2, 2010
    #7
  8. elliot

    elliot Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,645
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    111
    Location:
    Boubon MO
    Vehicle:
    76 4 door 347 paxton and t56
    I was very unimpressed with my pst kit. I have replaced almost all of it with moog parts after no more than 8,000 miles .
     
    elliot, May 2, 2010
    #8
  9. Boosha

    Boosha Built to run hard

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2009
    Messages:
    586
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Buckeye State
    Vehicle:
    69.5 Maverick,1964.5 Mustang,1966 T-Bird
    Thats what I would do. Start fresh with all quality parts. I also suggest Moog.They are top of the line.
     
    Boosha, May 2, 2010
    #9
  10. Corbin Johnson

    Corbin Johnson Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2002
    Messages:
    3,726
    Likes Received:
    37
    Trophy Points:
    148
    Location:
    Sonoma County, California
    Vehicle:
    73 LDO, 72 Sprint, 70 Grabber.
    Moog it is. Thanks all!
     
    Corbin Johnson, May 2, 2010
    #10

Share This Page