If you’ve noticed your vehicle has been squeaking or making noise recently, or if you notice stiffness or unusual sounds when driving over bumps or turning, it could mean that parts of your suspension are low on grease, not properly lubricated, or wearing out. Not to worry, reapplying grease to suspension parts is usually quick and easy using our simple guide. To start, you will need a grease gun and the right type of grease for your application. Grease guns dispense grease into specialized fittings on your suspension components or other types of machinery, and are a must for those that maintain their own vehicles. The grease itself is available both in cartridges and bulk grease containers, and most grease guns are equipped to use either of these options. There is a variety of grease available for different applications, so understanding the best grease for the type of service you are performing should be a priority. Read on to learn more about which type of grease is best for you and how to load and use a grease gun to simplify your vehicle’s maintenance.
Applying grease to parts of your vehicle’s suspension that feature grease fittings ensures continual smooth operation, minimizes wear, and extends the life of these components. Without grease, regular operation generates friction, which can scour or damage the metal surfaces of ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and more. Galling, which occurs when parts fuse together due to high pressure, can also occur with too little grease or due to grease contamination, and a lack of proper lubrication can cause irreparable damage. Over time, or due to grease leaks or other damage, suspension parts may begin to loosen or wear excessively, resulting in noise, poor handling, or complete failure, which could lead to expensive repairs.
Suspension components need to be greased regularly to prevent water, dirt, and small particles of debris from damaging the joint and to lubricate the contact surfaces of these parts. Many modern vehicles feature sealed ball joints, tie rods, and other assemblies that do not require regular greasing, but older models may have a number of parts that include grease fittings and should be maintained using a grease gun. Lubricating these parts with a grease gun is often recommended at every oil change, but the service or maintenance interval for these components can also be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Farming equipment and heavy machinery might need to be greased more often, as these machines are often used in especially dusty, dirty, or severe-use environments.
High Temperature Wheel Bearing Grease
High-temperature wheel bearing grease features high temperature and high pressure ratings for use on wheel bearings, including disc brake wheel bearings, and heavy-duty chassis components. They are formulated with lithium complex bases, which have wide temperature and pressure ranges to deliver maximum performance in a variety of operating conditions without breaking down or losing their lubricating properties. Though most vehicles on the road today utilize sealed wheel bearings, ensuring that older and heavy-duty vehicles are greased properly during bearing service can provide the longest-lasting repair.
Temperature-Specific Greases
Machinery with internal components that reach especially high temperatures will often require grease with high-temperature protection to prevent degradation and wear. Conversely, low-temperature grease is best for use in cold environments where vehicles or machinery may be subject to temperatures below freezing. Selecting a grease outside of your typical operating temperature range can cause the grease to resist flow, degrade, or separate. When the grease thickener separates from the oil, the oil can flow back out of the component, leaving it unprotected. Most high-temperature greases use a lithium complex base, as it can withstand higher temperature conditions. Low-temperature greases most often use anhydrous calcium bases, as they function better in low-temperature operating environments and are resistant to water contamination. Check your owner’s manual for temperature specifications for your vehicle or machinery to determine if they require temperature-specific grease.
High-Pressure Grease
Machinery with internal components under high pressure will also require a high-pressure grease to reduce the risk of damage during operation. Moly and heavy-duty greases, made for use in high-pressure conditions, will most often use lithium or urea bases as they can withstand high temperatures and pressures without breaking down. Check your owner’s manual for pressure specifications for your machinery or equipment to determine if a high-pressure grease is the right solution for you.
Synthetic Grease
Synthetic grease has a wide operating range in terms of temperature, and is also made to better withstand high-pressure applications. A variety of synthetic grease options are available that are made to be used on chassis components and wheel bearings, but some may have additional uses, like lubricating U-joints. Synthetic grease is made from a synthetic base, which is formulated to protect parts under a wider range of operating conditions. These synthetic bases may include lithium or aluminum complexes, and depending on the recommended grease for your application, it may be best to utilize a specific synthetic grease formula.
Marine Grease
Marine vehicles, boat trailers, and more will often specify a marine grease made to withstand water contamination and continue to perform without becoming diluted. Marine greases are made to function in both saltwater and freshwater, and can sometimes be used in agricultural applications where a waterproof grease is necessary. Marine greases are often made with anhydrous calcium, calcium sulfonate, or lithium complex bases, which work well at preventing water contamination, and are commonly used for boat trailer wheel bearings and other applications that frequently come into contact with water. Your manufacturer may recommend marine grease for these types of vehicles, but it is always a good idea to use it where water contamination is common or possible.
Food-Grade Grease
Food-grade grease is designed for use in machinery meant for manufacturing and processing food. This type of grease is meant to prevent illness or contamination that could occur due to contact with grease not specifically designed for food applications. Food-grade grease is formulated to resist breaking down in contact with water. For this reason, food-grade greases are made from anhydrous calcium bases, which better prevent water contamination. When selecting a food-grade grease, check the temperature range, use requirements, and read any included safety information. Your food-grade grease should be approved by the USDA for use in food manufacturing.
The Biodegradability of Grease
When you are choosing a grease, make sure to check for biodegradability. If your vehicle or machinery is operated in conditions where environmental or food contamination is a concern, you should consider selecting a biodegradable grease. Check the laws in your area regarding the biodegradability requirements of grease for your application before selecting a grease.
Some greases may be formulated with additives to increase performance or add to the functionality of the grease. These additives can allow the grease to be used across a wider range of applications.
When preparing for your next repair or maintenance task, determining the appropriate type of grease for your application can help ensure a lasting and safe repair.
When choosing the best type of grease gun for your needs, it is important to consider how and where you will be using this tool the most often. There are three different types of grease guns available, and all of these options have specific features and benefits for a variety of users.
Manual Grease Guns
Manual grease guns are operated by hand with a pistol grip or a lever, and are generally the easiest to use and most inexpensive option. A manual grease gun creates pressure to force the grease into the fitting by squeezing its trigger with your hand. Though this can cause more fatigue in a high-volume environment, a manual grease gun is often a great option for DIY mechanics, as their operation is straightforward and doesn’t require any additional equipment to use.
Electric Grease Guns
Electric grease guns are operated with the push of a button or trigger and are nearly always powered by low-voltage batteries. In most cases, these grease guns work in exactly the same way as a manual grease gun, but can reduce the fatigue that might be experienced when pumping grease by hand. The batteries on these grease guns are rechargeable, and using an electric grease gun can allow the user to finish greasing fittings more efficiently than they could with a manually-operated tool.
Pneumatic Grease Guns
Pneumatic grease guns are also operated with the push of a button or trigger and use compressed air to build pressure and inject grease. The benefits of a pneumatic grease gun are similar to those of electric grease guns, but since they are operated using air pressure, there is no downtime for recharging. This makes them ideal for use in extremely high-volume environments where time is a major factor in your choice of grease gun.
Loading a grease gun can be challenging for a first-time user, but nearly all grease guns are built and loaded similarly. There are two options when loading a grease gun, including loading bulk grease from another container or simply inserting a grease gun cartridge. We will explain the basic steps for each below.
Loading a Grease Cartridge
Start by unscrewing the cap off the grease gun. Next, pull the handle all the way back and lock it in place. There will be two sides to your grease cartridge: one side with a metal tab and the other with a plastic covering. Remove both, and slide the grease cartridge into the grease gun. The side where the plastic covering had been removed should be facing the handle. Screw the head of the grease gun back on part of the way and push the handle back in or release the handle. Screw the head of the grease gun the rest of the way back on and remove any remaining air by pumping grease out through the fitting head.
When reloading a grease cartridge, pulling the handle back will eject the old grease cartridge. Old grease cartridges can be disposed of in the trash.
Loading Bulk Grease
Unscrew the cap of the grease gun, fill the head with grease, and press the air out. Dip the grease gun into the container of grease and pull the handle back. When you have filled the gun with grease, pull up on the pressure gauge to lock the handle. Remove the grease gun from the grease container and wipe any grease off the outside. Reattach the head and push the handle back in, then remove the remaining air by pumping grease out manually. If you have any remaining grease, make sure the container is fully sealed. Store the container of grease away from heat, light, and moisture to keep it from drying out or becoming contaminated before its next use.
Now that you have loaded your grease gun, you should be ready to use it to grease the components of your suspension. Locate the part you want to lubricate and inspect it to determine if it has a grease fitting. Parts that require lubrication may include tie rod ends, ball joints, universal joints, pitman arms, idler arms, and some control arm and sway bar bushings. In some cases, leaks from these parts could cause dried grease to obscure the fitting and make it more difficult to find. In that case, you may need to take a flat-bladed screwdriver or similar tool and scrape near where the grease fitting should be to expose it.
Grease fitting locations may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, or even the types of parts that may have been used to repair your vehicle in the past. A repair manual may help you determine which parts can be greased and how to easily locate their fittings. Depending on the height of your vehicle, you may also need to lift and support it to safely access the fittings. You can learn more about how to safely lift your vehicle with our helpful video.
Once you’ve located the fittings you want to service, it’s time to use your grease gun. Push the hose nozzle securely over the fitting until you hear a click, which means the hose has locked into place, and use the lever, grip, or trigger button to begin to apply grease. You may notice some grease squirting out around the fitting, which can mean that your grease gun hose is not connected securely and may need to be reoriented. Continue to add grease until the part is fully lubricated, at which point old grease will begin to be forced out around the dust boot or grease fitting. Once this occurs, you can move on to the next fitting until you have successfully completed your lubrication and maintenance.
At this point, it’s usually a good idea to clean your grease gun by wiping it down to remove any significant grease buildup or residue. You can keep the grease cartridge in the gun when not in use so that your next grease job will be even quicker and easier. It is best to store the grease gun horizontally to prevent grease from leaking, and to keep it away from heat, light, and moisture to ensure your grease is ready to use next time you need it.
Grease guns make applying grease easier. Whether you’re looking for a grease for automotive applications, greases for your marine vehicle, or the right lubricant for your machinery repairs or maintenance, you can find it at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Shop our selection of grease cartridges and bulk greases to find one that best matches your needs. We also carry a variety of grease guns to help you get the job done as easily as possible. If you need to repair your existing grease gun or replace a grease fitting, you can also shop our line of grease fitting replacements.
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Grease guns make applying grease easier. Whether you’re looking for a grease for automotive applications, greases for your marine vehicle, or the right lubricant for your machinery repairs or maintenance, you can find it at O’Reilly Auto Parts. Shop our selection of grease cartridges and bulk greases to find one that best matches your needs. We also carry a variety of grease guns to help you get the job done as easily as possible. If you need to repair your existing grease gun or replace a grease fitting, you can also shop our line of grease fitting replacements.
Did you enjoy this article, or do you have feedback about this or other How-To content from O'Reilly Auto Parts? Take a quick survey to tell us what you'd like to see next.