Everything Chassis Lubrication Lube zerk etc

[WILDFIRE]

check here watcher...

Everything Chassis Lubrication Lube zerk etc

[watcher]

Thanks, Wildfire

[WILDFIRE]

happy to help 

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

Do you need to remove the tires to get to the upper ball joints? I can't seem to find any other way except buying a rubber hose.
It took me 2 tries to get a grease gun that works. My first was a nice trigger style. the problem is it would not let me pressure up the grease. So I took it back to Checkers and went to NAPA. I spent the same money as Checkers but got a professional gun. The plus side is it works great. The down side is it is not a trigger style.

Thanks

Shane

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

Can somebody verify that I need to remove my tires to get to the upper Ball joints? I cannot seem to find any other way to get to them. This is the first time I have done this on the Av. I have always paid someone else to do it for me. I do my oil changes but not lube.


Thanks

Shane

[ygmn]

did you try turning steering wheel to one side or the other?

have hose end grease gun?

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

I am going to buy the hose for the grease gun. I figure this to be the best solution for this problem. Also is there a graphic with a picture of the locations of the 11 fittings in question? If not I will be purchasing a book along with the hose attachment.

Thank you kindly for the response

Shane

[DougD]

Nothing much to do but drive it

[SpottyJ]

 


Well the passenger side upper ball joint seal blew due to too much grease.

Any idea if this is a DIY, or how much to repair at a dealer?

TIA

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

OK I finally jack up the Av and put some 6 ton stands under it. I just did not feel safe with the little 3 ton stands. Once the Av was up I was able to locate all 11 fittings and was also able to get all of them. The front does feel a lot better. It must have been a long time since they were done. I had to put no less then 4 pumps from the gun. On the tie rods I had to put almost 10. So thanks for the information as always you guys are the best.


Thanks

Shane

[DavidB.]

Monsieur Wildfire,

The zerk link does not work for me.   .   .   .   hummmm, I'm not allowed or it's to old?

hxxp: www.   chevyavalanchefanclub.   com/cafcna/index.   php?board=112;action=display;threadid=3514

A bientot,
DavidB.   

[wakebdr]

I see where this was discussed ad nausem earlier, but I'd like to bring it up one more time.  I was just crawling under my truck looking at a few things and decided to count the zerks.  I counted 12 on my 03 Z71.  I do not know if it has any replacement parts on it as I bought it used.  I'm not mechanically inclined so I don't know the names of all the parts, but here's where I counted them.

4 (x2) in the wheel
1 (x2) on the bottom of a "rod" that seems to have a rubber seal on it
1 (x2) on the top of the same rod a little further in (away from the wheel)

That makes 12 zerks for me.  I'll try to get some pictures later this afternoon.

Edit: It's pouring rain here now, so the pictures might have to wait until tomorrow.

[wakebdr]

I finally got to take a couple pics today.  You can see them on my site at http://www.thebdbulls.com/category/avalanche/

Are there any that I'm missing?

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

I will try and podt pics of mine tomorrwo for you. It is about time to lube again anyways.

[jwong44]

Wakebdr,

The 4th Zerk you displayed on your picture is not a zerk!  It's actually a bleeder valve for your brakes.

[Aquaholic21]

The only two that I think aren't obvious are the two on the idler arm.  You can't see them from underneath and they're hard to attach to.

Thanks to this forum I knew to keep looking for them.

[wakebdr]

Wakebdr,

The 4th Zerk you displayed on your picture is not a zerk!  It's actually a bleeder valve for your brakes.

I don't think so.  I should have taken the cover off to take the picture.  That zerk (and the corresponding one on the other side) has a small rubber cover on it.  If it's a valve, I sure don't know how to release it.


I may have figured out why I have 12 now.  I was on the phone with GM customer service today about my instrument cluster.  The CSR was going over the history of the truck before I owned it and mentioned that the front suspension member was replaced under warranty in September of 05.

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

That is a bleeder valve for the caliper. If you look at the other 3 calipers under your Av you will see the same valve. The rubber cover is to protect it from getting dirt inside and clogging. To open it up and bleed the caliper you need an 8mm wrench. Please do not put grease in that fitting or you will be replacing it.

Shane

[wakebdr]

Well I'll be John Brown.  You're right about that.  Guess I won't try to grease that one.

In that case, where is that pesky 11th zerk?

[Shanes 02 Avalanche]

The 11th is up on the steering rack on the passenger side I believe.

Shane

[roadrunner]

Had a question about the fitting on the steering box (correct me if I'm wrong).  Is this a greaseable fitting?  I tried to grease it and grease would go out between the zerk and gun.  I do need to get the 18" extention.  Thanks

[Aquaholic21]

Had a question about the fitting on the steering box (correct me if I'm wrong).  Is this a greaseable fitting?  I tried to grease it and grease would go out between the zerk and gun.  I do need to get the 18" extention.  Thanks

It likely is frozen shut - first wipe it clean with a rag that has something on it (WD-40, carb cleaner, etc) then use a metal pick - like an ice pick to press the small ball in (don't go crazy, just move it a little) - this will free it up you you can grease it.

[roadrunner]

Here in a pic of the zerk in question, I wanted to double check, Thanks

[windtech]

That GM-Truck link changed again, here is the current:
http://www.gm-trucks.com/resources/how-to/2009/01/22/locating-and-replacing-all-11-grease-zerks/

[roadrunner]

Thanks for the link.

BTW whats the recommended service interval for Lubing your intermediate steering shaft for 1999 to 2004 trucks.

I know more questions.

Cheers!