How to Grease a Ball Joint

Car suspensions depend upon numerous types of ball joints to function properly.

Ball joints require adequate lubrication to function properly. Serviceable joints should be greased according to the maintenance schedule outlined in your vehicle's owner's manual. If your vehicle's ball joints are serviceable, there will be a fill hole on top of the rubber boot covering the joint. If there is no fill hole, the joints are non-serviceable and cannot be greased. Do not try to force grease into non-serviceable ball joints.

Things You'll Need

• Grease gun
• Jack
• Jack stands

Instructions

1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and lower it onto jack stands. Identify the ball joints. Some vehicles will have only a lower ball joint on each side, while others will have an upper ball joint as well.

2. Insert the tip of a grease gun into the fill hole at the top of the rubber boot covering the ball joint. Apply firm pressure to the gun to keep it inside the fill hole. Pull the trigger until grease begins to overflow from the joint. It may take several pumps to fill it, depending on how long it has been since the last greasing.

3. Repeat this process for each ball joint. This is also a good time to grease other parts of the suspension, including the tie rod ends and idler arms. When finished, remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle back to the ground.

References

• Mobil 1: Ball Joints