Here is what I’ve learned on this forum about grease. I have a stock SE, so this may be all I need to know. But if others want to chime in with insight about more advanced builds, I’ll update the original post so that it can be a helpful resource to anyone as ignorant as me.
Where/What to Grease:
Zerks:
Johnny Joints:
When to Grease:
Roughly every oil change, or more depending upon your driving conditions.
@pagrey says: “… every service or oil change is what I do. After some extremely dry and dusty or muddy trails I'll do them after I clean up the Jeep as well. When you do them regularly you can just give them a small dose, maybe a single pump or less, you get the feel for it. You don't need to blow the boot up like a balloon.”
What Grease to Use:
Frequently recommended on this forum are Redline CV-2 and Red-n-Tacky #2. Special recommendation from @RaymondT for Chevron Ultra Duty EP2.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind from @RaymondT and @MrBills: “Use the brand of grease that you prefer for your ball joints, just be sure that it is NLGI GC-LB #2. Ball joints aren't picky about packaging; they just want to be greased.”
Pro Tips:
From @astjp2: “You leave a dab of grease on the zerk, when you go to grease again, wipe off the dab and the fitting is clean, then leave a dab again. Just an FYI.”
Or, from @mudmaster, use one of these caps.
Where/What to Grease:
Zerks:
- These are zerks. AKA grease fittings.
- They allow you to apply grease with a gun like this. For recommendations see here.
- Stock TJs have seven zerks. They are outlined below, and can be seen in this picture.
- 1&2: Both Top Ball Joints
- 3&4: Both Tie Rod Ends
- 5: Connection between Tie Rod and Drag Link
- 6: Joint between Pitman Arm and Drag Link
- 7: Driver's Side Track bar Mount
- If you have aftermarket suspension accessories then you may have more. For instance, my new front sway bar links have them.
- According to this thread, some early-model TJs also have zerks on the driveshaft u-joints.
Johnny Joints:
When to Grease:
Roughly every oil change, or more depending upon your driving conditions.
@pagrey says: “… every service or oil change is what I do. After some extremely dry and dusty or muddy trails I'll do them after I clean up the Jeep as well. When you do them regularly you can just give them a small dose, maybe a single pump or less, you get the feel for it. You don't need to blow the boot up like a balloon.”
What Grease to Use:
Frequently recommended on this forum are Redline CV-2 and Red-n-Tacky #2. Special recommendation from @RaymondT for Chevron Ultra Duty EP2.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind from @RaymondT and @MrBills: “Use the brand of grease that you prefer for your ball joints, just be sure that it is NLGI GC-LB #2. Ball joints aren't picky about packaging; they just want to be greased.”
Pro Tips:
From @astjp2: “You leave a dab of grease on the zerk, when you go to grease again, wipe off the dab and the fitting is clean, then leave a dab again. Just an FYI.”
Or, from @mudmaster, use one of these caps.
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