I'm going to be replacing some steering linkage parts and front suspension components (tie rods, ball joints etc) on my '87 560SEL soon. The current fittings are all "maintanence free" ie they don't have zerk fittings so you can't lubricate them. Is this the standard or are replacements available that can be lubricated?

I'd much rather crawl under the car every other month with my greese gun than replace warn components once a year.

jlc

Unless your putting about 50,000 to 75,000 miles a year, you shouldn't have to replace components that often. I doubt if you'll find any replacement parts with fittings, but once you replace what's needed and get a good alignment, you should go several years without further attention.


Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

I think, but not sure, that the W108/109's were the last to have grease fittings on the front suspension pieces.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

by the early '60s, the factory became convinced that far more wheel bearings and suspension joints were being ruined by dirt which got in during sloppy repacking/lubricating than would ever get past a good set of state of the art seals, so they abandoned grease fittings and scheduled wheel bearing repacking (apart from brake overhauls) and increased the typical logevity of the relevant parts immensely by so doing.

Hi all,

I have a small backhoe at home and installed my own grease fittings, drilled, tapped and screwed in my own grease fittings where I felt I needed them. I grease each time I use it.

Would it be possible, advisable to install your own grease fittings at critical suspension points? As I write this I think not, probably these pivot points are now designed for no grease. I guess exception might be ball joint???

Thanks,
Joel

I imagine the biggest hurdle would be to drill and tap without scoring the ball member or introducing burrs and shavings into the greased area. Otherwise, it's a good idea.

I noticed the suspension replacement parts for other makes sometimes come with a grease fitting, where the original didn't have one.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Yeah,

I noticed my drivers side ball joint has a grease fitting where my passenger side did not. And the replacement I just put in for the passenger side did not.

I agree with the burs and scoring issue. Would be tricky to get right without screwing it up.


Thanks,
Joel

As I said in an earlier post, with the quality and choice of materials available today, the longelity of these components is incredible. I just can't see spending the time screwing around with zerks instead of just enjoying the maintenance free components. Coincidently I am replacing the original ball joints in my 300TDT this weekend. I guess 315,000 miles is as far as they will go. I don't like to work on cars unless I absolutely have to, but I think I have figured you guys out. If you can convince wifey that it is very important for safety that you spend hours drilling little holes in suspension parts, she won't ask you to trim the yard, move that compost pile, paint the house, or whatever. VEEERY CLEVER!!

See ya,
Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.

Peter,

That hadn't been my original reason for asking the question but I really like your line of thought My wife would certainly believe your explaination for a vast majority of my car related behavior.

jlc

Hey Peter,

Please be careful what you post, my wife has been known to log on and browse.

You have just inadvertently divulged one of my most closely guarded secrets.

However, I have a slightly different spin, one which my wife has much more interest in than that saftey crap.

"I am saving us HUGE money by doing the work myself". I usually don't mention that I am doing the same thing over and over and over again.

Drilling little holes in stuff can kill many hours in the gararge. Then there is the tapping, many more hours.
Then greasing, more hours,
You can see the trend.

Joel

You guys are way too much, however, I'll try to be more reticent in the future.

Peter

__________________
Auto Zentral Ltd.