longer lasting lower control arm

[Pu241]

yup! I did it but they dont' need grease they are UHMW plastic the only grease that works with that that I know of is food grade grese or maybe silicone based. I am not sure if synthetics work but if the are compatible with UHMW i want to know so I can start to grease them.

The only UHMW material I know made in industrial quantities is UHMW-PE
Ultra High Molecular weight PolyEthylene and it is pretty resistant to most chemicals and depending upon how they were made may already be self-lubricated (No Gforcefd, not that kind of lubrication) but if you fell you need more you'll be safe using just about anything, only high temps and UV will degrade these type of materials.

[kzbill]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Will_grease_harm_uhmw_poly

[kzbill]

Thanks sir I may try I just didn't like the warning that grease may pick up dirt and take it through the bearing but I spose if I keep greasing and push it out it may be ok.

[Pu241]

Suspect sand in metal bearing is worse!
In UHMW-PE it might inbed itself in the material, but isn't going to grind awy at the surface like it would in a metal bearing.
I wouldn't expect much to get past the boot on these anyway and if you have sand in your grease you need a new source.

Kzbill, nice job trackibng down your sick festivas problems!

[TominMO]

The ball joint boot is energy suspension part#9.13101


i have some old aspire LCA's, i think i'm going to drill into the back of one of them and see if i can install a grease fitting myself. Then i can just by a few grease nipples and be able to grease whatever i want! Anyone tried doing this their self before?

Can the LCA ball joint boot be used for the tie rod end too, or is it a different size and part #?

[JPT]

I miss Monsoon. :razz:

Good question though.

[skeeters_keeper]

Same part.

[GenevaDirt]

Can the LCA ball joint boot be used for the tie rod end too, or is it a different size and part #?

2 different parts....the diameter of the studs are different. But...in the help section they sell a 2 pack of boots that have 1 of each size in them. I just bought 2 packs and replaced mine.

[skeeters_keeper]

I should have specified that I used the same part, but I have aspire outer rod ends... although I'm pretty sure the diameter of the aspire and festiva OTRE at the large end of the taper is the same, its only the taper that is different... guess it was a "close enough" fit so I used the same ones since I had them.

[Bert]

Drilling the pressed steel cap on ball joints and tie rods in order to retrofit grease nipples is relatively simple. (power drill and tap & die set) but how to keep the metal filings out of the mix is a whole other matter. You just can't win.

[Aspire SVT]

A few ways to keep out drilling debris, place a bit of grease on the drill bit to collect the filings or better yet, place a shopvac directly near the spot your drilling. The vacuum will suck up the filings before they can enter the ball joint.