Maybe he used ATF. It looks the same as oil. Try wiping some up on a paper towel or rag and smelling it.

I use lithium grease. Where the ball and socket joints can be separated I separate them, wipe them off, put in a dab of grease the size of a match head and snap the joint together. In pivot points that don't come apart I spray in lithium grease from a spray can.

But if the manual says use ATF then next time I will get an oil can, fill it with ATF and give all the joints a shot. Then wipe up the excess.