Lubricating Your Chassis

*EASY*

Once lubrication points are identified, use the following procedure to lubricate the appropriate suspension, driveline, and steering joints:

  1. Park the vehicle on level ground with the engine OFF, the parking brake engaged, and the transmission in PARK (for automatic) or REVERSE (for manual). Elevate the vehicle's front end on safety stands and block the rear wheels. Wheel ramps cannot be used for this procedure because the front tires must be allowed to hang freely.
  2. Wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt so as not to burn yourself on any components. Also wear eye protection so foreign particles like undercar dirt do not enter your eye.
  3. Wipe all dirt from the surface of the tie rod end or ball joint to be lubricated. Clean the existing grease fitting well (if present). Do not allow dirt on the grease fitting to be injected into ball socket during lubrication; this will shorten the ball socket's life. If the ball socket contains a threaded plug, remove it and install a clean grease fitting.
  4. Use a hand operated, low pressure grease gun with the vehicle manufacturer's recommended lubricant. Connect the grease gun nozzle to the grease fitting and squeeze the trigger slowly. Add enough grease to the socket until the rubber boot swells. Do not cause the rubber boot to burst or leak grease. This ruins the weatherproof seal and will also cause premature wear of the metal joint. The ball joint will then need to be replaced. Remove the lubrication fitting and reinstall any threaded plug.
  5. Repeat the previous two steps as needed at all necessary lubrication points. If the grease gun trigger cannot be squeezed, or grease does not enter the socket, the grease fitting is clogged and must be replaced.
  6. If your car has an automatic transmission, use the same grease to lubricate both ends of the automatic transmission shift linkage. These lubrication points do not require grease fittings. The first lubrication point will be directly below the gear selector and where the shift cable is attached. The second will usually be at one side of the transmission, where the other end of the shift cable is attached.
  7. If your car is equipped with manual transmission and cable operated clutch, all pivot points between the clutch pedal and transmission linkage should be lubricated as well. Consult your owner's manual for exact location of lubrication points.
  8. Remove the safety stands and wheel blocks.

TOP SYSTEMS
BACK CHASSIS LUBRICATION
PREVIOUS IDENTIFYING LUBRICATION POINTS
NEXT LONGEVITY TIPS