Leaking lower ball joint

[gbranham]

I have a slow drip from my driver's side front lower ball joint. It doesn't appear to be leaking from the grease zerk, but rather from the perimeter of the steel plate the zerk screws into. I get 4 or 5 drops per week. Car is still being built, and suspension was assembled last summer. Anyone experienced this on new gear?

[Dave M]

Not exactly sure what’s what with the ball joint housing but it’s not overly uncommon to have a little lubricating oil separate out of the carrier compound of some greases. If you haven’t done so maybe try purging the joint with some high quality chassis grease.

[gbranham]

Thanks, Dave. I can do that!

[gbranham]

I haven't revisited this problem...been focused on my dash layout. However, I noticed the passenger side is now doing the same. The grease I'm using is red, yet the leaking fluid is brown, like a slightly dirty motor oil. Wonder if it is in fact some of the lubricating oil. Not sure how I'd purge out the grease...maybe remove the zerk and squeeze the rubber boot to force it out? Then start over with a higher-quality grease. Any suggestions on the best grease for the job?

[phileas_fogg]

I use Red Line 80402 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPAEJA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) on all bushings & ball joints. It does tend to separate & leak all over the grease gun.

To purge the old grease, I'd just connect the gun to the zerk fitting & pump until I saw fresh red grease flow out, wiping away the old grease as I go. It takes a roll of paper towels, but I get this job done every year without issue.


John

[gbranham]

I use Red Line 80402 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CPAEJA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1) on all bushings & ball joints. It does tend to separate & leak all over the grease gun.

To purge the old grease, I'd just connect the gun to the zerk fitting & pump until I saw fresh red grease flow out, wiping away the old grease as I go. It takes a roll of paper towels, but I get this job done every year without issue.


John

Probably a dumb question, but where is the old grease flowing out? From the top of the rubber boot, around the ball joint shaft?

[cv2065]

I swapped over to the green synthetic grease and never had a leaking issue. The new grease pushes out the old grease from inside the boot, around the ball joint.

[phileas_fogg]

Yes; from the top.

John