What is this thing (the shiny thing in the middle of the pic)? A grease point "zerk"? It is between the transfer case and the front diff.

Also, what other zerks are there on a 1999 Cherokee Sport 4x4? I found several up front on the upper ball joints, tie rod ends, and other steering parts. Anything other zerks I am missing? I don't see any towards the vehicle's rear end or drivetrain. Also, how much to grease each zerk?

And, it looks like the tie rod end boots are starting to crack. I have researched replacement boots, and get conflicting info on what will fit correctly for this specific application. I know there are universal boots, but I want something that fits snug and properly. What boots have you used?

Thanks!

 

Yup that's a Zirk fitting. I usually add grease until it starts uzing out. The only one I know of on the rear u joints.

 

How about greasing the ball joints and tie rod ends? Grease until it squirts out somewhere, or until the boots expand a certain amount?

Thanks!

 

Some of the zerks only require a single shot or so and that is enough, while others need to be greased till you see a bit of water come out.


At times too much can rupture the boots and seals.

 

If you go through the trouble of replacing the TRE boot, just replace the TRE as well.

 

• I had this canned, might help...
• Track bar/panhard rod. 1 nipple at chassis end
  * Track rod ends. 1 at each end of axle and 1 at the steering box drop arm. Possibly 1 at the mid-joint of the drag link but I think this one is usualy not greasable? so 3, maybe 4 on the steering linkage.
  * Steering swivel ball joints. The top ball joint is greasable and this is easier to get to if you take the wheels off but not essential. The bottom ball joint isn't usually greasable but I think some specialist aftermarket ones might be.
  *Front axle driveshafts have a UJ at each axle end. These are often not greasable but they can be and the grease fitting may be the usual nipple between 2 of the bearing caps(although there is no room to get a conventional grease gun in to it) or a flush fitting on the end of 1 of the bearing caps.
  *Front propshaft has a greasable sliding joint and 3 UJ's which probably won't be greasable if they are original. The UJ nearest the gearbox could be greasable by the bearing end cap as there is no space to get to an inner grease nipple.
  * Rear propshaft has 2 UJ's which again probably aren't greasable but worth checking. The sliding joint of the rear propshaft has to be dismantled to grease it but it is advisable to do it every few years, undo the uj straps at the rear axle(4x 8mm headed bolts) and remove the prop to grease the splines.