I just changed my ball joints out on my 1990 f150 4x4. I am to the point where I have to grease the ball joints and my tie rod end because the pickle fork squeezed out a good amount trying to take it off. I have been trying to find something to tell me how to tell when I have enough grease. Which is basically my question. When do I stop pumping grease into the fitting.

 

When grease comes out the other end. If it's been a long time I usually go until I see clean grease coming out from the boot. If it's routine greasing, just until a little comes out. Wipe it off and move on to the next.

 

X2....

 

Alright then so I got at least a idea now on what to look for. These are brand new ball joints by the way. Thank you though.

 

The procedure above is fine for the older tie rod ends.


You don't want to pump grease into your new ball joints until it blows the boots off, though. Watch the boots and when you see them start to "swell" a little bit, that should do.

 

If you have been in the slop with it, I'd definitely pump grease into them until you see fresh grease, that way you make sure that the joint has been "flushed" of any dirt, water or other contaminants. Normal street driving, that is probably not necessary, just pump till you start to see a little ooze out.

 

After a bit of a struggle I got my new grease gun to pop onto the zerk fittings and got them all greased. Now the axle (passenger) is just being a pain to get back into the rubber boot that it came out of.