NOTE: If the vehicle is driven in extremely sandy conditions,
lubricating the driveshaft assembly is a must!
Trucks and Monteros do have lubrication grease fittings at various locations
within the steering and front suspension. These fittings should be lubricated
with every oil change and after any off–pavement driving in water or
sand. You'll need a grease gun filled with Multipurpose grease SAE J310 (NLGI
No. 2) and a large rag. Inexpensive grease guns are available almost everywhere
and the newer styles use grease cartridges which eliminate the mess of loading
the grease into the gun.
- Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands. Ramps can be used,
but access is easier when the suspension hangs down.
| Fig. 5: Lubrication points — most
models similar
|
- Locate each grease nipple and wipe it clean of dust and grime. Fit the
grease gun end onto each nipple. Apply just enough grease into the fitting
to fill the dust seal — but not until it comes out of the
dust seal covering the joint.
- Remove the gun from the fitting and use the rag to wipe away excess grease
at the fitting.
- Continue with each fitting. Depending on the year and model, grease fittings
may be found on the lower ball joint and steering joint (left and right),
the upper ball joint (left and right), the tie rod ends (left and right)
and the pivot for the pitman (steering) arm. Additionally, some trucks have
fittings at both ends of the driveshaft running to the rear wheels.
- Lower the vehicle to the ground.
