Ok, I knew that there had to be a reason they call it Jiffy LUBE, but
I really didn't know why. It seems that my service manual for my 1992
XJ requires that certain chassis parts be lubricated with grease. I
didn't know really, my dad was a computer geek and 40 hours a week so
am I. So I guess that I probably have some permanent damage done to
previous vehicles...

Anyway. I have know idea how to operate a grease gun or even what a
zerk fittings look like (aside from a Google image search.) In fact
I've never heard of a zerk before in my life. What other tips do you
have for lubrication? What permanent damage should I look for while
I'm underneath? I can tell you already there are a whole lot of
bushings underneath that look cracked and compressed.

Also I saw instructions on inspecting the front wheel bearings in the
service manual. If I have the wheel disassembled should I just go
ahead and replace the bearings. It seems like a lot of work for a
simple inspection.

Please help, I certainly do not want the front end to fall apart on
the freeway on the way to work in the morning. That would be very bad.
If I had the money to fix that kind of damage I would be driving a
much newer Jeep.

wfpearson wrote:
Your wheel bearings are sealed units. When bad, you have to buy the
whole hub. One sure sign of a bad wheel bearing is a low brake pedal
after every turn that tales one pump to come back up high. You also can
just jack up each front tire and see if it wobbles loosely.

There could be a pile of grease nipples or zirks as some call them or
there might be none at all....

Most factory parts don't come with grease fittings, the are throw away
parts now. You can get aftermarket parts with grease fittings and
'some' factory parts have them so it is hit and miss what yours has
under there.

All or some or none of the u-joints could have zirks. You likely have 7
U-joints in total, 5 for sure.

Not much you can do for ratty bushings except just change them out.

We have some lube places where you can actually watch the tech doing the
job. Maybe have one of them do the first one while you watch to see
where if anywhere he can get grease in?

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Zerk fittings look like this.

http://www.aaok.com/photos/parts/711-7.jpg

They are quite small, maybe a quarter inch for the whole photo. The
threaded end threads into a steering, suspension or drive line joint, and
the grease gun fitting fits over the rounded nipple. The nipple is usually
covered with dried grease and dirt, which you want to remove with a wire
brush or rag. Not all parts that move or turn have zerk fittings. Some use
rubber bushings that do not require lubrication.

The wheel bearings last a long time, and cannot be lubricated during their
service life. If you have a half decent service manual, it will tell you
the proper procedure for detecting unacceptable wear in them.

Earle

"wfpearson" <wfpearson (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote