Thoughts on greasable upper amd lower control arm bolts?

[West 1]

I am struggling to understand this one, the whole idea is to adjust the upper control arms properly and then lock them in place, I think torque spec is 130 foot pounds or something close to that. Why grease the unit you do not want to ever move once torqued? I think it is counter productive. I am willing to be trained. BTW: every time I have had my alignment work done I check torque when I get the car home. They never torque more than 70 foot pounds because it is near impossible to do without removing a tire for access. Then they act shocked when your alignment changes soon after they work on it.

 

[Dadnali68]

I am struggling to understand this one, the whole idea is to adjust the upper control arms properly and then lock them in place, I think torque spec is 130 foot pounds or something close to that. Why grease the unit you do not want to ever move once torqued? I think it is counter productive. I am willing to be trained. BTW: every time I have had my alignment work done I check torque when I get the car home. They never torque more than 70 foot pounds because it is near impossible to do without removing a tire for access. Then they act shocked when your alignment changes soon after they work on it.

Apparently it's common for the bolt to rust into the bushing and become stuck and need to be cut out should a repair have to happen again. So the greasing in question shouldn't impact tightness since its not on the threaded area, its just on the area that get enclosed and seizes. Should I be that worried about it? Probably not since the truck already has 160k, lives in WNY, and probably won't out live a new set of control arms. But I like learning and asking questions, and you've all been very kind to share knowledge with me.

 

[swathdiver]

Maybe give them a nice never seize paint job first where it goes in the bushing?

Sure, but it'll wash away in time.

 

[Dadnali68]

Sure, but it'll wash away in time.

Damn, there's a metaphor in there for everyone.

 

[Scrappycrow]

Sure, but it'll wash away in time.

It's not a 100% solution, but marine-grade Never-Seez (as in that particular brand name) has worked well in these situations for some friends.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

IMO, greaseable ball joints are not necessary. Most ball joint failures that I've seen start with the rubber protective boot being damaged/split for any number of reasons. The grease leaks out and the ball joint starts to deteriorate. This factor doesn't change when using greaseable ball joints.

 

[Trey Hardy]

Just thinking out loud, I could be full of sh*t. Like to hear other's opinions. I know they sell upper control arms with lube fittings on those bushings so it would be the same environment. All I know is when I try to tighten those slotted cam plates down they want to move on me. Those dirt king plates are kick ass. PITA to install and adjust but they lock into place leaving me piece of mind. They look good too.

Yea they are definitely a pain to install but so worth it cause you never have to mess with it again! My alignment guy cusses me everytime he has to mess with them but also loves how I ain’t coming back every couple of months to a new alignment

 

[89Suburban]

Yea they are definitely a pain to install but so worth it cause you never have to mess with it again! My alignment guy cusses me everytime he has to mess with them but also loves how I ain’t coming back every couple of months to a new alignment

Forgot to mention my good buddy that recommended them to me.

 

[Dadnali68]

Yea they are definitely a pain to install but so worth it cause you never have to mess with it again! My alignment guy cusses me everytime he has to mess with them but also loves how I ain’t coming back every couple of months to a new alignment

My man what are you doing to your truck that you need an alignment every couple months?? I've owned a 2008 Cobalt for 16 years and it's gotten one alignment after I did control arms, struts, and lowering springs!

To the others, marine grade never seez, great idea, just sad they missed out on calling it seaz lol. And greaseable ball joints are just part of the part I'd be buying anyway. Also even if they don't last longer it means I have to inspect them and grease them once a year at least so it gives me a reason to be in there and checking it for safety.

 

[Trey Hardy]

My man what are you doing to your truck that you need an alignment every couple months?? I've owned a 2008 Cobalt for 16 years and it's gotten one alignment after I did control arms, struts, and lowering springs!

To the others, marine grade never seez, great idea, just sad they missed out on calling it seaz lol. And greaseable ball joints are just part of the part I'd be buying anyway. Also even if they don't last longer it means I have to inspect them and grease them once a year at least so it gives me a reason to be in there and checking it for safety.

Jack em up 8-12” in the air and Baja down the beach going 60-70mph lol and if I ain’t doing that the roads in my town are the worst in Nc the pot holes would beat your alignment out of wack before anything else