Non serviceable joints maintenance

Does anyone grease their front suspension components with a needle adapter through the boot for preventative maintenence practice?

 

Just started about 2 months ago.

My ball joints started squeaking when turning the steering wheel. I took it to my mechanic, and he checked them. Said everything was still tight and he recommended shooting some grease in there using one of those. Getting grease inside there made a huge difference.

I know it's just a band aid and my ball joints will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Truck is 17 years old with 244,000 miles, but it will buy me some time before it has to be done. I think I paid under $10 for the needle.

I put the grease in the rubber boot as high as possible and pumped it until grease came out the hole. I'll need to re-grease them every 6 months or so and it will be best if I can use the same hole.

 

I'm going to start doing this as well. Full knowing, I will need to replace as they wear out in time. Everything on my truck is in good shape yet, just wanting to keep them in good working order.

 

Isn't there a risk of dirt or moisture going in the hole? Is there a way to seal up the hole?

 

No. They have a mileage life. Just replace.

 

With first gens, if they ball joints havent been done yet, its due. Grease wont help. They give no warning and just fail. I call them around 300,000km or every 12 years or so where I am.

We've had 1st gen tacoma/tundras fail months after a proper check (unloaded with pry bars etc)

Pic for attention.

 

Learned this the hard way. And Ill be honest, most of the sealed oem ball joints etc are what I usually use now as they seem to outlast and are of better quality than the aftermarket zerked ones. Not saying thats always the case, but its largely been my experience.