So I got a moog lower ball joint with side grease fitting like this:



How do I place this to make it the easiest to access when axle is back on? Facing the front or the rear of the vehicle?

Doesnt matter, as long as it can be greased once its in. Ive never used a grease fitting like that before. Ive seen them, but never used them. They take a needle, IIRC.

Either would work. If I were doing mine, I would place them forward. That way I could hit all of the front components at the same time. Reaching in from behind the tire to hit the lower joint is not as easy in my opinion. But if you lube them while rotating tires (with tires off) it wouldn't make much difference whether they were front or rear.

I suppose there is slightly more risk of the fittings being damaged if pointed forward. But not enough to keep me from doing it.

I can't see the picture for whatever reason (despite being on a PC)

IIRC when I replaced my ball joints with MOOG parts there was a very specific instruction on the orientation. Double check that there isn't a specific direction the instructions indicate for installation.

So my other lower moog, same part number has just the cap, meaning I have to remove it, then put in the 90 degree angle zerk, grease it, remove 90 degree angle zerk..

WATCH ALL MY GREASE JUST SPEW OUT THE TOP (what a genius design this was)

then put the cap on...

Should I just replace it with a needle zerk as well even though it will be in the middle?

If you do replace it, please let me know what size zerk to get. Mine both came with caps and I'd love a needle zerk on it rather than try to screw a regular fitting on there every time I want to put fresh grease in.

So.... you know that moment when you need an adapter / tool but have no friggin clue what it is called....

Could someone please tell me what type of tip or what I need to grease the flush head zerk? Called 3 auto stores and the girls answering didn't even know what a zerk is.

upon further inspection, I still have doubts that if it was a needle zerk in the middle (replacing the cap on the other lower).... I think it would still be darn near impossible, if not impossible to grease it with axle in. I think putting that zerk on the edge at an angle like they do no the newer ones is the only way to really be able to service it without pulling the axle.

Someone please let me know if I am wrong, as I hate pulling the axle every 3-5k miles to grease a ball joint.

Also if anyone runs into this issue here is what I did to grease the flush head zerk in a pinch. (sure if you have time to order an adapter then go for it)

Went to Oreillys and got the needle injector adapter, then with a pair of wire cutters, just cut the needle off flush at the end where it comes out of the nipple. Worked like a charm!

You need a needle type adapter, but they make different sizes and angles, I think this one should work but I am not 100% sure


EDIT:
There are 2 types of needle adapters IIRC - one that is like the one above that is basically a chamfered cone tip, and another that is like a hypodermic needle for piercing through rubber boots - you want the former.

Try this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/295133826181

Just use standard straight zerk fitting when you install ball joints. This is a low profile right angle grease gun adapter. Just jack up that side, push adapter onto the grease fitting. You have to rotate the tire until the fitting has clearance to pop on the zerk fitting and pump away. works on my 98 XJ lower ball joints.