Lubed for Life Ball Joints!

[RobRV]

Anyone else had problems with Them? There is a thread on the Newmar Owners Forum but nothing on this Forum that I can find.

[sknight]

IMHO lubed for life joints of any application suck. Badly. About half the life as a greaseable joint in my experience. They're exposed to such harsh conditions and fresh grease is the only way to push out contaminates.

Don't buy them. They're not dangerous, they just won't last nearly as long.

[RobRV]

They are Standard equipment on IFS Systems on Spartan and Other Brands of Chassis!

[GaryKD]

Hi RobRV,
I'm not sure about being standard. Maybe this is something new. My 05 Spartan IFS chassis has ball joints that are greased every year. I know this because I do the greasing.

[RobRV]

Gary
Mine are in a 1998 Chassis so it certainly isn't new! there are Numerous complaints and problems listed on the Newmar Owners Group forum covering Years up to 2009 . I'm interested in How you are able to grease Your's. I certainly would prefer to be able to do that ! My Suspension is by Tuthill,Reyco Granning Who manufactured Yours?

[GaryKD]

Hi RobRV,
I have a Granning IFS front suspension.

[sknight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobRV They are Standard equipment on IFS Systems on Spartan and Other Brands of Chassis!

A lot of manufacturers use them as original equipment. They're cheaper and more than adequate to get the vehicle out of warranty.

[RobRV]

Gary,
Where are the Lube Zerks located on Your Ball Joints. There are None on Mine and according to the Manufacturer's web site They are all that way. Perhaps there is a way to install Zerk Fittings.Were Yours retro fitted? If Possible could You take a couple of pictures and Post or send to Me via PM. I'm really trying to figure out a way to do this, as I'm concerned that I will have problems in the Future. It seems like a Stupid piece of engineering to Me!

[GaryKD]

Hi Rob,
I'll do this in late December or January. This is when I do all chassis maintenance. At this time my dance card is over booked. I can tell you whatever I have is what came from the factory. Remember 05 is when Newmar and Spartan were really cranking out the chassis and coaches at a record pace. Who knows what was put in each coach. During servicing, Spartan has told me my front axle was used only for a short period of time. It was discontinued before the end of the production year.

If the ball joints have no grease fitting, I do not think any can be added,

[sknight]

Fittings can be added. Something like Tractor Supply has the fittings, you just need to drill and tap the end caps, and only the end caps, of the joint in question, then install the fitting. Here's a link to a page installing then on a motorcycle frame, but the process is the same.

Steering Bearing Lubrication Zerk Fitting

[RobRV]

Thanks Gary
I am awaiting a request from Spartan to TRG to offer some advice! The Newmar Owners "Yahoo" Group has quite a thread going on this problem! My Mechanic pointed out the lack of Grease able Points to Me when I had the Rig serviced Last week! His comment was "This is a Stupid Idea"

Re Adding Zerks! It May be impossible to do because of the design, however if Necessary I will have them "Installed" in the replacement Upper and Lower Ball Joints before installation on the Motorhome.

[sknight]

It would be sad if replacements couldn't be found that were greaseable, but before install would be far easier.

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Greased for life" suspension parts are a joke! First thing I did on my '02 Dodge/Cummins 2500 truck after getting it home, was crawl under it to check out the underside, including suspension - ALL the boots around suspension parts were totally collapsed - and obviously providing precious LITTLE long-term lubrication!

Somehow, it seems that the minimum-wage assembly line suspension parts workers simply are NOT getting the OEM sealed joints properly lubed to start with - assuring early failure and replacement...

I soon went to NAPA, and bought the boot piercing lube needles seen below - they simply attach to the end of a standard grease gun, and allow the suspension joint boots to be pierced to inject grease into them - I service my suspension annually, and to date, all by suspension remains as rock solid as new - while other owners NOT servicing theirs, commonly require replacement after 20-30K miles.

NOW, some will pop in and state that piercing the boots will allow water and road crud to enter, and causing early failure - but they FORGET that earlier greasable joints were TOTALLY unsealed, and lasted FAR longer than the current sealed units, as long as they were properly serviced.

[EngineerMike]

Needles- Perfect for the Grease Junkie.