| Re: [GMCnet] Check your Lower A arm ball joint [message #322007 is a reply to message #321991] |
Sun, 13 August 2017 11:37   |
Richard Denney
Messages: 920
Registered: April 2010
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Bob, lubing the original bearing requires a massive disassembly using tools
that cost hundreds of dollars. You can drill them for zerks, but that also
requires massive disassembly using those same tools, andnpt making a
mistake. Even then, the lubing requires the same disassembly as replacing
the 1-ton bearing (loosening the axle and backing it off the face seal to
avoid blowing it out).
If the one-ton bearing fails, it can be replaced cheaply and very much more
easily than the original--like an hour versus a weekend. And you can buy
four of them for the price of the tool required to disassemble the
original.
That disassembly of the original should be done every 25,000 miles, and
putting in zerks doesn't mean it won't ever have to be done again,
especially if the control arms on my '73 fatigue and crack.
The geometry issue is somewhat theoretical in our application. Bearing and
ball-joint failures are not--I've had both. Both can be catastrophic.
Rick "not letting theory trump experience" Denney
On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 12:26 AM Bob Dunahugh wrote:
> Larry found those bolts on our 78 GMC in need of snugging up a little. (
> Thanks so much for checking Larry ) Never thought that those BJ had ever
> been replaced with 74,000 on the clock. So I went looking in the log book.
> Replaced at 38,000 miles. And there are no other front end parts replaced.
> As to the 1 ton. I never disagree with Ken Henderson. But I have a
> different OPPINION on the I ton. Reasons. It puts a heavier load on the
> torsion bars, and related attacked supports. Doesn't have standard SAE A
> frame geometry. As to the lifetime lubed bearing. That lifetime stands
> until the bearing fails. Thus you can't spend the 50 cents in grease that
> 1 ton bearing. Many GMC owners have never greased their original bearing.
> The original can be lubed at your choice. When the 1 ton bearing fails. You
> need to go buy the entire wheel bearing assembly. The original bearings in
> my 39 year old GMC have never been greased till now. I'll stick with what
> GM did.
>
> Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale.
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--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
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