How to Grease a Jeep Wrangler
by Jody L. Campbell
Greasing (also known as lubricating or lube) is an important maintenance procedure for the chassis components on a Jeep Wrangler. Keeping the components greased through zerk fittings will help maintain the steering components and the suspension ball joints. There are 10 zerk fittings on the front end of a Jeep Wrangler, and these steering components should be greased every 3,000 miles (or every oil change if you change the oil every 3,000 miles). The suspension ball joints (both uppers and both lowers) should be greased every 6,000 miles (or every other oil change if you change the oil every 3,000 miles).
Step 1
Load the grease gun, if necessary, with the tube of chassis grease. Pull back and lock the plunger on the chamber of the gun.
Step 2
Unscrew the top of the gun with the handle and nozzle hose on it and set it aside.
Step 3
Remove the pull-off plastic cap on the tube of grease to access the grease inside the tube.
Step 4
Insert the tube down into the chamber of the grease gun and then lift up and peel the flip-top aluminum cover on the other side of the tube.
Step 5
Insert the tube down into the chamber of the grease gun and then lift up and peel the flip-top aluminum cover on the other side of the tube. This will reveal the grease at the other end of the tube.
Step 6
Replace the top of the gun and then unlock the plunger and push it into the chamber of the gun. Prime the gun by pumping the handle several times until grease comes out of the nozzle. Wipe the nozzle off with a rag.
Step 7
Start on one side of the Wrangler. Put on safety glasses and crawl under the front of the Jeep.
Step 8
Locate the zerk fittings on the upper and lower ball joints. Push the nozzle of the grease gun onto the zerk fitting. Grease guns that feature a single-hand operational pump allow you to hold slight pressure on the nozzle which is sometimes necessary to pump grease into stubborn fittings. Otherwise, grease just comes out of the nozzle and covers the surface of the zerk fitting. Pump enough grease until you see some slightly seeping out of the ball joint seam. Wipe the excess grease off with a shop rag.
Step 9
Move to the steering tie rod end located at the front of the knuckle. Again, place the nozzle onto the zerk fitting and pump enough grease so that a slight amount seeps out of the seam and then wipe off the excess grease.
Step 10
Follow the steering tie rod end to the union of the drag link connection and grease the zerk fitting there in the same manner.
Step 11
Follow the track bar to the driver's side of the Wrangler to where the bar meets the pitman arm and the track bar meets the frame joint. Grease these two fittings in the same manner.
Step 12
Finish up by greasing the left side steering tie rod end and the upper and lower ball joints on the driver's side wheel.
Tips
- In addition, you may consider checking the drive shafts (front and rear) for U-joint fittings. While sealed by the manufacturer, if the U-joints have been replaced with aftermarket ones, they may feature greasable zerk fittings that should also be greased.
Things You'll Need
- Tube of wheel bearing and chassis lubrication grease
- Grease gun (with flexible nozzle hose)
- Shop rags
- Safety glasses
Writer Bio
Jody L. Campbell spent over 15 years as both a manager and an under-car specialist in the automotive repair industry. Prior to that, he managed two different restaurants for over 15 years. Campbell began his professional writing career in 2004 with the publication of his first book.
