Lubing the Front End

[Bob Chadwick]

Got under the front of the car with a grease gun tonight. I found 5 lube fittings. Is that all of them?

How do you know when your seals are full. I have a little hand gun and pumped until I saw a little grease come out of the seals.

 

[wishuwerehere82]

1 each on the top and bottom ball joints, 1 each on the tie rod ends. 1 on the pittman arm,1 on the idler arm.

It all depends on if the tie rods came with grease fittings or if they were sealed units. Maybe 8?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'll take a look for a couple more.

Thanks.

 

[tomtom72]

I was thinking that the P/S system has a fitting where it attaches to the center link? The clutch linkage cross shaft on mine had a fitting, to lube the ball stud on the block I think? Ball Joints = 4 Pitman & Idler = 2 Tie rods = 4 Center link = 1 (?) Clutch linkage = 1 Total of possibly 10 lube fittings, boy I wish I had my shop manuals! Sorry I am thinking out loud trying to remember all the lube points and be of some assistance. tt72 Also I remember not to over fill the rubber, it buldges a little when it's full. I used Moog replacement parts on mine back in 79. They made ball joints with exit holes for the old grease to come out, B/Joints, idler, tie rod ends had them( If I remember right). The instruction sheet in the box said not to overfill a std joint by making the rubber bag come off it's seat. I sure wish I could be shorter about this, sorry hope this helps. Oh, suspension must be unloaded(sorry to add that, not ment to insult), tt72

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I found one on each end of the tie rod (the piece that attaches to the wheel) and one each on the inside of the same rod. I had one where the power steering ram connected to the steering components.

 

[tomtom72]

Hi Bobchad, Okay that means you found the fittings on the Ball joints (4), tie rods(4), If the Pitman Arm & Idler are OEM they may not have any. Look for the attachment point of the P/S to the center link (1) and if Man Trans the clutch cross shaft will have one(1). I think that's all of them. tt72

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks Tom. I'll take this under the car with me after today's show and see if I can find some more.

 

[tomtom72]

Bobchad, you are welcome! It fells good to give something back to this fourm! Oh one thing about the clutch cross shaft I can not remember if the fitting faces down or up, sorry, but I know my 72 had all those fittings on the front of the car. Good luck, tt72

 

[Bob Chadwick]

No clutch so no problem.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Got under the front of the car with a grease gun tonight. I found 5 lube fittings. Is that all of them?

How do you know when your seals are full. I have a little hand gun and pumped until I saw a little grease come out of the seals.

Four ball joints, four tie rod ends, sometimes a fitting on the idler arm, one on the pitman end of the steering relay rod and, if equipped with power steering, one on the end of the power ram which connects to the relay rod.

Pumpin' them just until you see grease come out is the right way, *unless* it's been a really long time since you lube'd or if the front end has gotten really wet. Then I'd pump them until a lot of the old grease is squeezed out. Unfortunately, that makes a bit of a mess, so, if you do that, have a bunch of rags ready.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Thanks guys.

 

[TWINRAY]

The instructions when I bought my P/S control valve said "Not to overfill" so I wouldn't overdue this one.

 

[JohnZ]

Don't grease the fitting on the P/S control valve - it can blow the internal seals, and void the warranty if it's a rebuilt valve; leave that one alone.

 

[Raymond O'Donoghue]

Thanks for the good advice on greasing the fittings I'm greasing this weekend.

Ray

 

[photovette]

While you're greasing'em, check them to make sure they're good. I just replaced my tie end rods and idler arm--I swear the steering and handling went back to like new again!