Anti-seize grease on steering ball joint tapers - yes or no?

[Derald Rice]

I have never used anti-seize on the tapers but a recent thread about the upper boots and the fact that my
front suspension is is currently in pieces.......

And considering how often these parts are actually split apart, it may be a non-issue, but if it makes the
separation easier without any compromise in the fit of the tapers, it might have some credence.

Your opinion ??

PS....Even thought they are a fight to separate...... I have never seen any that were rusted or corroded.

The inventor of Taper Joints was either a genius or an idiot.

[Fixit]

Seeing as you fastidiously wipe all lubricant, crud, etc. off of all the "Morse" tapers (when changing/installing a tool) on the machines that create these parts... and the tools pop loose with minimal effort repeatedly - but stay in place in use like they're welded... make your own conclusions.

[johnnybgoode]

Doesn't sound like a bad idea given the ball-joint castle nuts are torqued and pined but I think it will be tough to get the castle nuts tight as the anti-seize will make the BJstud spin? I've always installed them dry but others may have a different experience. Scott

[NAZ]

In almost all cases, I assemble them clean and dry. Clean tapers usually break free with several hammer raps on the part the taper is installed in. Sometimes you need to use a puller (or a pickle fork if you plan to replace the joint).

But I have coated the taper on larger trucks that run on road salt. I have seen these rusted and it doesn't seem possible that water could get into that tight fit. I don't use any kind of lube on the threads as that can affect the torque required by 20% or more. I don't believe lube on the taper has any affect on torque, at least I haven't found a study that shows it does and looking at the design it doesn't seem likely it would.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve been doing them dry for almost 50 years and don’t see a reason to change now.

Jeff

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

I’ve been doing them dry for almost 50 years and don’t see a reason to change now.

Jeff

same here Jeff,

To the op if you having a hard time popping them loose maybe you to hit the proper part in the right place. Tapered forks work but know you will destroy the seal cover when used.

[Derald Rice]

same here Jeff,

To the op if you having a hard time popping them loose maybe you to hit the proper part in the right place. Tapered forks work but know you will destroy the seal cover when used.

I don't have a problem knocking them loose and I have popped off more than I can count.

But if there is a better method I am not going to brush it off just because I have never tried it.

[rich grsc]

No, assemble DRY

[ggunter]

As with all taper fits its the friction of the precise machining of the tapered parts that holds it. Disturb the taper and the friction is lost. Like a separating fork or hitting the side of the taper area with a hammer. Just a tiny amount of stretch is all that's required to break a taper.