lower ball joint grease fitting

[idahjo]

Impressive interaction here!
Let's see if any ideas on this topic...

Lower ball joints on my XJ Cherokee have plugs in the top instead of grease fittings. Obviously this is because of minimal clearance between the top of the ball joint and the axle U-joint knuckle.

Q- is there a fitting that will fit in there, like some kind of pin/needle affair or a very short zerk?

thanks, great forum here!

[gtmud]

Yes, a normal straight zerk fitting will fit with the tight clearances. There is a special tool that will allow you to get to the fitting when you need to grease it.

[idahjo]

gtmud: Any idea that the special tool is or where one might obtain one?
thanks

[gtmud]

Your friendly NAPA should have it in stock, it looks like a small square peice of metal that clips by sliding this "block" over the top of the fitting, or you can do it the hard way and remove your axle everytime you need to grease the front-end, but the other way is easier. I know this zerk fitting works, I have them on my lower balljoints, no problems with clearance.

[Saudade]

I think these are called "button head" fittings.

[idahjo]

Thanks much guys, I'll check it out!