New balljoints installed but....

[Rodzilla]

...after the nightmare 2 days of getting out the 21 yr old originals (i'm pretty sure they were never changed) I find myself wondering why my new joints that came with grease nipples in the box don't have threaded holes in them. I didn't think to try the nipples first. The holes were partially covered over with grease and I assumed that since these new $100 (each) NAPA Chassis joints came with nipples that it would just be a matter of screwing them on after the install. What do I do now? Thread the holes? What thread is a grease nipple? And I think I screwed one up already cause I was trying to thread it into a threadless hole. I am worried about contaminating the new joints if I need to thread them. Any ideas? Did I miss something and need to call NAPA? Thanks for any input.

[mike s]

The grease fitting holes don't come threaded, the grease fittings are a tapered thread and should cut thier own threads as you screw them in. You should be able to just screw them in with 1/4 drive set

[Rodzilla]

I did that and then tested it with my grease gun and grease came spewing out from the threads. I think because the grease that is packed inside the joints is some super thick stuff and wouldn't budge with any new grease. So this is when I figured something was messed up, I guess I had it right but didn't think that it was pointless to try adding any grease at this time. Thanks

[Pookapotamus]

did you bottom out the zerks (grease nipples) agains the ball joint? if not tighten them down untill they bottom out but be carefull not to bottom them out then strip them. that should fix the leaking grease from the threads.

[X-Treme]

did you bottom out the zerks (grease nipples) agains the ball joint? if not tighten them down untill they bottom out but be carefull not to bottom them out then strip them. that should fix the leaking grease from the threads.

Go with this, BUT, be careful. If they get too tight, they CAN break. I speak from experience here...

[Rodzilla]

I believe I got it,,,thanks guys. First timer doing balljoints