Greasing upper & lower ball joints plus front and rear control arms.

[ReggieD]

While changing my oil I am going to grease the upper & lower ball joints and front & rear control arms.
What type of gease should I use?
What type of tool do I need to grease these points?
Are there anything I need to know before I attempt this task?
Are there any simple steps which would make this a simple job?
Are there anyhing I need to be warned about which may damage the car?
I know where the ball joints are at but I am not real sure about the location of the front & rear control arms. How do I check if these devices are too worn and may need replacing?

I know you can guess from my questions that I am a newbee vette owner.

 

[berky2500]

I use High Pressure Moly-Lithium Grease. I found it easier to grease the points with the front wheels off the first time because they were quite dirty. A flexible hose manual gun is all you need.

Check the grease boots and fill them slowly. Older ones have a tendency to be dry rotted and cracked and can blow out if put too much grease to them.

As far as the wear, I don't know of any good ways to check that. Hopefully someone else has a good way to check, then we will both know.

 

[Magmotor]

Here's how to check em:...

 

[berky2500]

Thanks magmotor!

 

[Magmotor]

I know I like looking at pics rather than trying to figure out what the ying yang someone is trying to say, especially me. So here's a pic of a "new" lower & a "worn" lower. Hope this helps

 

[Yeller Z06]

I agree with berky - first time doing this, it's easier with the wheels off to see the fittings. Plus it gives you an opportunity to inspect everything in the area as well as a chance to bleed the brakes. Your car is 13 years old; you really should swap out that nasty old brake fluid. And be sure to do the whole thing, including the ABS pump. If you don't know how or don't want to, have a dealer or Corvette shop with a Tech-1 do it so that they can cycle the pump. Make sure they do it (i.e. watch them) as some places won't even know what you're talking about. But I digress...

It depends on the mileage as to how much of all that stuff might need to be replaced. I had to replace everything on my car (RIP) at around 30K, but it was a track rat so it was to be expected.

I don't remember there being any grease fittings for the control arms. They just sit there and rot. Visually look at the rubber for signs of deterioration.

Hope this helps.

Michael