Greasing Fittings

[00GTP4ME]

I just got done reading Tim's thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=929004

May I say that was a masterfully done instructional. Bravo. I noticed that there was as step where you went over greasing the tie rod ends and this is one maintenance item I have to say I've failed miserably at - greasing. I don't know how that one slid by all these years, but I think someone told me early on that most cars now-days are being made with sealed fittings and so I never really paid any attention to it.

So obviously with the Grand Prix, there is some greasing that applies. Can you tell me all the places on the vehicle that need to be greased, how often, how (it sounds bad, but how do you know how much to put in? I don't want to blow a boot or anything ) and this last question, I'm really embarrassed asking , but is there a certain kind of grease you're supposed to use? Give me the whole story like I don't know anything (cause it's true! ). I think I really need to add this to my maintenance routine! (Maybe that's why my tie rod ends went out!!)

As always, thanks for the help that the patience with my automotive ignorance! Bob, if this needs to be moved to the tips and maintenance forum, feel free to move if you need to.

[tblake]

Ahhh, thanks for the comments!

On a completly stock GP, you wont find any greasable fittings.

If you have replaced any suspension parts, chances are you now have a grease fitting. Next time you crawl under check things like tie rod ends, ball joints, stabilizer bar midpoint bushings...

I use valvoline grease for GM vehicles (even on dad's F150) Grease is grease IMO. I got it from O'reilley's.

Just put the grease coupler onto the zirc and squeeze the gun a couple times. It usually takes just one pump. You will know you have enough when it starts to come out between the grease zirc and coupler.

I usually try and grease mine every oil change. It usually only takes a half a pump on the gun before the tie rod is filled.

[00GTP4ME]

Well at least I feel about 5% less stupid now because I've looked and haven't seen any zerks! But you're right - now that I have new rod ends, I probably do need to grease those (I didn't put them on - I didn't see your how-to post until today! )

So it's not possible to over-grease something and do damage? You'll just make a mess everywhere?

[tblake]

Yeah dont over due it, you could blow the seal. Just a couple pumps will be fine.

Again, thanks for the comments. I think we had about 8 posts on here at that time regarding tie rod end replacement.

[00GTP4ME]

No problem. I really am an idiot when it comes to mechanical savvy and so I'm all about the detailed instructions with the pictures that a two year-old could follow. My brother got all the mechanic grease-monkey genes and I was the one paying a mechanic to change my wiper blades (ok, not quite that bad).
The good part is that I get to mooch off his automotive skills. Here's his project right now:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3312210

After he finishes making his ferrari bumper he's going to help me do some pretty sweet things with my bumpers. We already put some vents in my stock rear bumper that look pretty sweet, but we want to do a carbon fiber overlay on the dark gray part of the front and rear bumpers. That'll look pretty sick I think.

Anyway. Grease. Thanks again for the help, Tim!

[tblake]

wow, thats some pretty nice body work. I wish I could do it.

Who's car is quicker? Yours or his?

[00GTP4ME]

Oh, mine for sure. His engine is just a stock 4 cyl. His project car before this was a modded Tercel that he put a turbo in and I still killed it by a lot.
He is, however, building an engine for this Eclipse that I know will smoke me when it's done. I think he just ordered the pistons for it as a matter of fact. If I remember correctly, he sat down and tried to figure what his output would be when he's done with the engine and I think he said it'd put him somewhere around 300-350 horses. Not a massive amount, but when you're in a 20 lb. Eclipse, that kind of horsepower gets a little crazy. At the rate he's going though, he'll have fallen in love with a new car and will start all over before he gets to realizing this one's completion. (Just like the Tercel).
Here's his Tercel:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2653186

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by tblake

If you have replaced any suspension parts, chances are you now have a grease fitting. Next time you crawl under check things like tie rod ends, ball joints, stabilizer bar midpoint bushings...

One more point to add here....... often, cars with independent rear suspensions have grease fittings on the back, on ball joints, control arms etc.

My Bonneville came from the factory with grease fittings on the rear strut ball joints. Oil change mechanics were ALWAYS overlooking them. I would have to tell them about it, and they always regard me with stunned disbelief, until I showed them the fittings. They all said they NEVER look at rears for fittings.

[00GTP4ME]

Hmm. Well I guess it doesn't hurt to check it out!