Lower Control Arms - Grease Zert

[303Radar]

I need an additional opinions and possibly options.
The grease zert for the ball joint in my LCA is in the way of the steering arms.
The problem is because Air Ride has an over sized ball joint which is mis-matched to the drop spindle I'm using. I'm not blaming one vendor over the other, I just have an opportunity to be creative in solving a problem. Preferably a reliable solution.
My though was to relocate the zert to the inside of the arm, completely out of the way.
However, the just isn't room to drill the hole or run the tap for the threads.
My options appear to be:
Difficult- Drill a hole to work through and then weld it closed.
Easy - Use a set screw in place of the zert and put the zert in place for greasing the ball joint. Swapping them out shouldn't be a big deal. I'm just not sure sure how well the set screw will seal.

Does anyone have other ideas or thoughts?

Here is a pic with a quarter for size reference.

 

[wristpin]

Dab of loctite will seal zert just fine

 

[La Hot Rods]

They do make zert plugs.
Edit: I have to change my spelling of the word zrek, because I don't want to be like everyone else.

 

[blkblk63ss]

They do make zert plugs.

They make a needle point grease adaptor you can put on a regular hose on grease gun. This is about the size of a ball point pen cartridge. I bought one years ago to be able to lube u joints in double Carden drive shaft ,and it will also lube a regular zero in a tight place also. I have mine with a zerk on it and can snap on and off the grease gun hose. This will work with the zero plugs James mentioned.

 

[wristpin]

Btw its zerk. We're like a bunch of lemmings sometimes. One guy spells it wrong, we all spell it wrong!!
I thought it was zurk till i google spell checked......

 

[blkblk63ss]

Oh crap didn't proof read it ,maybe I better change it before some one goes berszerk, well maybe not.

 

[wristpin]

Kaniption fit

 

[Simon]

Uncanny. Have just yesterday ran into the same problem assembling the Ride Tech lower control arms with CPP drop spindles. As suggested buy [U]blkblk63ss[/U] I will install a low profile grease zerk.

 

[303Radar]

Uncanny. Have just yesterday ran into the same problem assembling the Ride Tech lower control arms with CPP drop spindles. As suggested buy [U]blkblk63ss[/U] I will install a low profile grease zerk.

Let me know how it goes, I'm willing to wait to see how it goes for you.
Yo can in the pic that this isn't the only modification made for clearance.
Also, I'm curious how the stop for the back of the steering arm works. My ccncern another modification is needed. But I haven't looked at it at ride height either.
Thanks!

 

[303Radar]

Btw its zerk. We're like a bunch of lemmings sometimes. One guy spells it wrong, we all spell it wrong!!
I thought it was zurk till i google spell checked......

I can't believe my spell check let it alone.
I didn't even notice Summit corrected my spelling until reading this.

 

[blkblk63ss]

I guess I didn't notice 303 Radar spelled it wrong too till just now,

 

[303Radar]

Since these zerks aren't expensive, stocked by Napa, and I don't have anything to order from Summit, I checked O'Reilly's and they will have them in tomorrow for me. Not that it matters, but they were 0.40 cheaper than Summit. I don't see that very often.

 

[303Radar]

Uncanny. Have just yesterday ran into the same problem assembling the Ride Tech lower control arms with CPP drop spindles. As suggested buy [U]blkblk63ss[/U] I will install a low profile grease zerk.

Looks like these will mostly work.
Will probably need 0.10 to 0.13 taken off the back as these are kind of long.
Here is a pic showing how far through they go. I figured I'd take advantage of not having a ball joint in place.
And another pic showing they are slightly longer than the original. Also, the have no taper. And finally, pic of the ball joint where you have take my word for it that the zerk placement does not go in the nicely tapered zone.
In short, Simon, thank you, thank you, thank you for posting the info on these zerks. In spite of the slight mods, this is far easier than I thought possible.

 

[blkblk63ss]

How does the ball joint get grease inside the rubber seal area . Most ball joints have a hole in bottom of joint?????? Is there a slot on side of joint??????

 

[303Radar]

How does the ball joint get grease inside the rubber seal area . Most ball joints have a hole in bottom of joint?????? Is there a slot on side of joint??????

In the picture of the ball joint, on the far right hand side, there is a hole for the grease to flow into. The zerk doesn't have to line up with it, the beveled area goes all the way around.

 

[blkblk63ss]

Ok I see it , never have seen a joint take grease like that.

 

[303Radar]

I did find there is a pitfall in machining the new zerk, it looses the ball which holds in the grease. I'm sure I can figure something out, but thought I would pass this along before anyone found out the hard way by loosing grease. I'm sure this too is solvable.

 

[blkblk63ss]

Which side are you machining.

 

[303Radar]

Which side are you machining.

The threaded side was machined down.

 

[blkblk63ss]

Is it possible to drill hole in bottom and tap and put the plug there. Or will the plug line up with the existing hole in joint ,of not drill so it does and in weld existing hole shut.