Ball joint grease

What does everybody recommend to use to grease ball joints?

I'm going to be changing my UCA’s and the ones I’m looking at have ball joints that can be greased.

 

I’ve been using Lucas Red N’ Tacky with my JBA upper control arms. Seems to be good stuff, but I’m no grease expert.

 

I’m going to throw this novel idea out there: Use the grease that the manufacturer of the UCA recommends.

That being said after I get enough experience with this vehicle I will settle on one grease only for the complete vehicle as I really don’t wish to have a grease gun ready with the proper grease for every application.

 

Red n tacky goes in all my grease points.
1 grease gun to rule them all.
I recommend lock'n'lube coupler, make an easy thing even easier

 

I've been using Cat Extreme Application Grease for all my greasing needs. It's the only grease I use. https://www.cat.com/en_US/campaigns/awareness/filters-and-fluids/fluids/greases.html

 

What UCAs? I know my SPCs call for NLGI #2, Grade LB with 3%-5% Molybdenum

 

Here is a non expert question, do the standard taco’s come with grease fittings? Sorry I don’t really want to crawl under again and look.

 

Yes. On the drive shaft. They are disappearing on the newer models. YMMV

 

SPCs do indeed call for a "high moly" grease. It should be dark grey in color.

Red-n-Tacky is an NLGI grade 2, but there is no moly in it. so it's a different grease. NLGI2 greases like that are usually specced in u-joints though.

 

I have used red n tacky on everything for a while. Recently switched to Valvoline moly based because my JBA arms recommend moly.

 

Ball joints, tie rods - Moly added

Driveshaft - normal nlgi #2 (red/tacky, superlube)

 

Any reason NOT to use a moly-based grease on everything? Aside from maybe being more $.

 

This is a good one, lithium complex, so it's compatible with existing grease in the joints.

 

The moly enhanced Valvoline grease is the best around.

 

It gives less corrosion protection than non-moly grease. Moly is molybdenum disulfide, which attracts water and turns into sulfuric acid.

Moly should only be used on sliding metal-on-metal surfaces that takes a lot of power, e.g. driveshaft slip joint.

 

https://dropbymyhouse.com/moly-grease-vs-red-grease/

Molybdenum disulfide or “moly grease” is commonly used for high-pressure metal surfaces that are slow-moving. While red grease works better on rubber seals, rings, and/or bushings. Both have relevant, targeted uses that help lubricate the surfaces they’re on.

Slow-moving ie: ball joints and tie rods, not driveshaft universal joints

 

Your 2016 probably had them on both the front and rear driveshafts. My 2021 has none. I’ve crawled and crawled and found none. Looks like you need to do some crawling.

 

Oh, so right.

 

I only use Lucas Red N Tacky as it is not just affordable but works very well. Here is a good comparison between it and a cheap brand!

Is Cheap Grease better than Lucas Red N Tacky? Let's find out! Bearing Grease Test Episode 1 - YouTube

 

Schaeffer oil makes good quality grease, and have several with moly. I've been using their stuff on my excavator and tractor for years and it seems to work well. My heavy equipment mechanic swears by it, so there's that. The company also has really great customer service- the last time I ordered a really nice lady called me a few days later to offer a discount on future orders.