Greasable vs non front ball joints
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Brier, WA 98036
Greasable vs non front ball joints
Based on experiences here on FTE and in the Tech folders, I'm looking at sourcing Spicer ball joints from Venture (Spicer Ball Joint Kit) but they look to be sealed rather than greasable. I'm confident that the Spicer joints will last a long time without needing service, but my gut tells me that I'd be more comfortable having joints that are greasable. Are there greasable Spicer joints available?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,143
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From: ND
They aren’t the same, one is also hollow
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Brier, WA 98036
OK, I see that I I didn't make my post clear enough. I'll restate. Are sealed Spicer ball joints reliable enough over time/miles as sealed units to be preferable to/ better or as good as servicable/greasable ball joints?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
Real, and I say real Spricer because there are Chinese knock offs of spicer ball joints all over ebay and amazon….beware and only buy from known trusted sources like Ventures.
yes a genuine Spicer ungreasable ball joint is vastely superior to most greasable units of other brands, the only reason to make a BJ greasable is because it cost less to add a grease fitting then it would have cost to machine tighter toleranses and sealing methods. Spicers can be hard to find and cost more is why I imigaine people try other brands but it is a huge mistake in my book. fwiw, motorcrafts are Spicers and your trucks entire front axle including the Ball Joints were made by Spicer….. stick with Spicer ( and Timken for bearings )
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Brier, WA 98036
Thanks. I have Ventures on the hook for the L/R set of ball joints, just wanted to get feedback. I'm also R&R'ing the unit hubs/bearings and rebuilding the outer axle shafts with the kit from Ventures. I sure as hell don't want to do ball joints again anytime soon after this....
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
be sure to remove the upper BJ sleeve and get it clean on both sides as well as the bore in the knuckle, I think this is where many people who run into "memory steer" go wrong by not getting that sleeeve and knuckle squueky clean.
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From: Waco, Texas
I wish I had read this before I replaced mine. I did mine 2 weeks ago and used XRF greaseable. Also replaced my Timken hubs at the same time. The Timkens only lasted about 4 years and 40k miles. I had greased those hubs using the ABS hole but it didn't make a difference in the end. I didn't grease the new ones in that way.
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