lube or not...

[legendary70]

Hello all.

Was wondering if my 2013 ford expedition needs to be lubed? not really sure what all that means. thanks ahead of time for any advice.

thx

 

[Habbibie]

Lube what exactly?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Probably referring to lubing various chassis parts: ball joints, tie rods, etc.

I’d be surprised if you have any that need to be lubed- unless they are non-OE replacement parts.

 

[Plati]

Reason #43 to the read the Owners Manual.

 

[legendary70]

yes the chassis, joints etc. everything is oem. thx

 

[johnboneske]

My guess would be that he/she took it in for an oil change and was told they did an oil and lube job, or maybe lube was more $, and wanted to see if they needed it or not? Not a stupid question but alot of places will sell you anything to make more money. Kinda like changing your oil every 3000 miles...

 

[1955moose]

Back when I first started wrenching on cars, lubing was included in the price of the oil change. Cars and trucks came from the factory with lube fittings. I remember having to lube like 6-10 different spots, including the driveshaft. My how things have changed.

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[johnboneske]

Remember having to grease all those zerk fittings? Those were the days...

 

[rjdelp7]

I always spray door latches and hinges. I have seen older vehicles, that were over filled and grease oozing, from a popped boot. Replacement ball joints do have the zerks.

 

[1955moose]

Ford doesn't include them anymore cuz guess what? They want to sell you parts. Problem is, by the time you need them, Ford's already discontinued them from their parts Dept. We end up with Moog, or some aftermarket brand. Luckily Moog, and some top ones, are decent quality.

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[Machete]

Ford doesn't include them anymore cuz guess what? They want to sell you parts. Problem is, by the time you need them, Ford's already discontinued them from their parts Dept. We end up with Moog, or some aftermarket brand. Luckily Moog, and some top ones, are decent quality.

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Soon as I found out Moog manufacturing many parts for my truck in Mexico I stopped buying their parts.

I went w Spicer which is made in ‘Merica and I liked having zirk fittings. When they failed prematurely I went back to sealed motorcraft.

They have lasted 3 years so far and not a squeak.

 

[Trainmaster]

Found the same problem with Moog. They make lots in China now. Junk.

 

[TobyU]

Not a whole lot of parts that compare with the old Moog quality anymore.
I get the Tread Saver or whatever house brand O'Reilly or Advance has with lifetime warranty.
The almost always have zerk fittings and I haven't had one wear out yet.

 

[1955moose]

See what happens when you want a part you bought 20 years ago, for the same price or close. The only way is to make it in China. Somethings got to give. It's too bad you can't put a zerk fitting in a Ford part. Is that possible, I don't think so, any machinest out there done that?

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[rjdelp7]

The original, non-zerk steering parts last just as long as the zerk. The polyester/nylon joint needs little lube. Hitting potholes and curbs is what speeds up the failures. Minimum wage, grease monkeys, would over fill and pop the old boots. This would expose it, to dirt and water. They sell a grease 'needle' to add grease, without a fitting.

 

[TobyU]

I think you could but the rest of material quality is so low compared to old stuff that even if you greased it often I doubt you would see any noticeable increase in life. But like I said, i replace each part as the original wears out ans don't find myself replacing any of my replacements.


I have added a zerk to a riding mower spindle that didn't have them.
Lots of arguments about the bearings being sealed or open etc as to where it will do any good at all and oy have to put about 1/2 a tube of grease to get it to the bearings it seems.
You could certainly replace the bearings too and add the zerk....BUT here we are..with new spindle assemblies coming from ebay for a two pack for 27.00. If they last half as long as the originals (the mower should fall apart by then) who cares.
And if they don't have a zerk (some new cheap ones do, some don't ----they know it's a marketing feature whether it has any benefit at all) you will save money on grease and time pump pump pumping.

 

[Olivy]

Checked the manual on our 2015 and if you have 4wd it states:

Inspect front axle and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings.

Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and U-joints. Lubricate if equipped with grease fittings.

So take a look under your expy, it may have them. Our 2011 f-250 has grease fittings on the front axle but you have to turn the wheels to reach them.