How to grease a TJ

Jason4x4 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 08:31 PM

I've seen it mentioned on here that greasing your joints after being on the trail is good preventative maintenance, and I'd like to learn how to do this myself. Bear with me here, this may be a stupid question - but how do I do this? I mean, I know I need a grease gun, but what exactly should I grease and where would I find the fittings on my TJ? Any help/tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

OutOfStep · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 08:54 PM

Crawl under it and find the Zerks (the little nipples the grease gun attaches to), seems like there are about 10 on the front end; then just give em a little grease, the pump number will depend on the size of your gun

Jason4x4 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 09:11 PM

First of all, I assume there are also zerks on the back end?? Second of all, any idea what size they are (assuming there are different sizes of zerks (completely new territory for me, I dont know anything about this))? And lastly, can you give me an example of where I would find one so I know exactly what I'm looking for? I know this is probably a real 'n00b' type question, but I'm really scratching my head on this one. Sorry, and thanks for the help.

Oh yeah, one last thing, how do you know when you've put enough grease in, and also is it possible to 'over grease' them? I work in HVAC and I know on large exhaust/ventilation fans if you over grease the bearings they can actually overheat and fail - is it also a bad idea to overgrease these joints/bushings on the Jeep?

OutOfStep · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2007, 10:12 PM

On the back end: I don't know, i've never paid attention, I can't think of where any would be based on where they are on the front end suspension.

Size: if you get an automotive gun it should be universal (at least as universal as anything is in the automotive world

)

You'll find one on your drag link and on the bottom of your steering knuckles, just look where things that move are mated to other things and there will either be a zerk or there wont be.

You can probably overgrease, if its a sealed deal I just give it a pump or two, if its an open deal I'll pump until the old grease is purged. I dunno if that's the correct way or not, its just they way I've been shown with old farm equipment, so you'll probably want to get a second opinion on that one.

Jason4x4 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2007, 11:23 PM

Ok, I went to AutoZone today and got a pistol grip style grease gun. My next question is what grease do you guys use? I just got a tube of the Valvoline general purpose grease that says for GM/Chrysler/European/Import vehicles for use on "Brakes/Suspension/Chassis" and what not. It's the stuff in the red tube. Does that work ok? Is there a brand/type that might work better?

Sparky-Watts · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason4x4

Ok, I went to AutoZone today and got a pistol grip style grease gun. My next question is what grease do you guys use? I just got a tube of the Valvoline general purpose grease that says for GM/Chrysler/European/Import vehicles for use on "Brakes/Suspension/Chassis" and what not. It's the stuff in the red tube. Does that work ok? Is there a brand/type that might work better?

So long as you grease up after each wheeling trip and with every oil change, that should be just fine.