Greasing joints
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Effingham,IL USA
i think vehicles built today should last 200k at least. the problem is people dont maintain them and run them into the ground then go trade in for another one. i say the average new vehicle today with a good maintenance routine and driven by somebody with common sense (not foot to the floor, slam onthe brakes kinda driver) would last 400k miles. i read a couple years ago gm's target engine life was 300k miles. i say cars and trucks on average live half of their potential life span today because of neglect, abuse, and an attitude of "i dont care just go" by the driver. i say doing away with grease zerks and having a sealed joint is better because nobody greases them anyway (except the people on this website).the sealed lower balljoints on my 83 f100 lasted 20 years and 175,000 miles b4 they went out. uppers still good though. rember they build trucks today for soccer moms and white collar types, not us!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
oldfordtrucksrule,
I couldn't agree with you more. The modern automobile will run MANY miles if even halfway cared for. Within the last 15 or 20 years, we have seen DRASTIC improvements in many areas that contribute to longevity.
Some key things are electronic fuel injection and hypereutectic pistons. The pistons allow VERY tight piston/cylinder fitting and low tension ring packages. It is RARE nowdays to get a new engine that uses oil. Most engines don't use any oil and stay that way for a LONG time if oil is changed at any reasonable interval. The fuel injection does away with raw fuel dribbling down cylinder walls on cold starts and gives much better fuel/air mixture control, both leading to long engine life.
Sealed joints have been around since the sixties and in many applications work quite well and will live as long as one that has a zerk and is greased PROPERLY and regularly.
For my vehicles that have fittings I grease them properly and without complaint, but my vehicles that don't have fittings have as long or longer joint life.
Have a great day,
Doc
I couldn't agree with you more. The modern automobile will run MANY miles if even halfway cared for. Within the last 15 or 20 years, we have seen DRASTIC improvements in many areas that contribute to longevity.
Some key things are electronic fuel injection and hypereutectic pistons. The pistons allow VERY tight piston/cylinder fitting and low tension ring packages. It is RARE nowdays to get a new engine that uses oil. Most engines don't use any oil and stay that way for a LONG time if oil is changed at any reasonable interval. The fuel injection does away with raw fuel dribbling down cylinder walls on cold starts and gives much better fuel/air mixture control, both leading to long engine life.
Sealed joints have been around since the sixties and in many applications work quite well and will live as long as one that has a zerk and is greased PROPERLY and regularly.
For my vehicles that have fittings I grease them properly and without complaint, but my vehicles that don't have fittings have as long or longer joint life.
Have a great day,
Doc
