A simpler but more effective way to protect ball joints is to wrap them in 2-3 layers of PVC film. The ends of the film are fixed with insulating tape.
The durability of the ball joints of the steering trapezium and suspension largely depends on the integrity of the rubber protective covers. Damaged boots can be successfully replaced with 100–120 mm long tube scraps. Fasten the inner part of the cover with rings 10 mm wide from the same chamber, and the outer part on the rod with copper wire about 1 mm in diameter.
To make the steering linkage joints of cars last longer, cut a ring from 40 mm thick foam rubber with an outer diameter of 65 mm and an inner diameter of 10 mm. Soak it with nigrol and, after wringing it out slightly, put it in the cover of the hinge, lubricated "Litol 24" during assembly. Observations show that nigrol protects the hinge from water better than "Litol 24", who are supposed to fill the cover. At the same time, scarce lubrication is also saved.
The rubber patch sticker is usually useless, as it falls off during the operation of the case. You can restore the tightness of several covers in this way. Lubricate the clean, oil-free gasoline inner and outer surfaces of the cover with glue "88" and apply a layer of thin nylon fabric (piece of women's stocking). Then - two more layers, also with glue.
After drying, put the covers on the car, where they will serve properly.
How to save tie rod joints? On cars in which they are lubricated through grease fittings with a syringe, it is recommended to preload the hinge spring with a clamp before this operation. A few extra minutes to service the car - but a guarantee that the lubricant in the hinge is completely replaced, abrasive particles and dirt are removed.
On some models, the tie rod joints do not have grease fittings. Therefore, it is necessary from time to time (after 3-5 thousand kilometers, depending on operating conditions) do these nodes "injection". Take a regular 10 cm medical syringe3 and a thick needle to it. Warm up the nigrol or hypoid grease, fill in the syringe and, puncturing the rubber dirt cap at the top of the hinge, inject a portion of the grease. the hole in the rubber will close immediately when you pull out the needle.
The hinges in the steering gear of some vehicles are not subject to lubrication. Factory experts believe that in operation it is cheaper to replace a worn-out assembly with a new one. From the point of view of a motorist, this is not entirely true. Lubricating an assembly once or twice a year is cheaper than paying for a new part and labor to replace it. Therefore, on the machine, without removing parts, drill a hole with a diameter of 5.2 mm in the center of each plug. Carefully, so that chips do not get inside the hinges, cut M6 threads in the holes, the same as in the ball joint housings on the suspension arms. From M6 screws, make plugs 4–5 mm long for holes.
After such an alteration, each time servicing the machine, replenish the grease in all joints by adapting a pin oiler 4 with a soldered threaded tip of a suitable diameter for this.
The operating instructions for many cars recommend disassembling and replenishing the lubricant supply in them every 100 thousand kilometers. However, in practice, and especially when driving on dirty roads, the need for replenishment or replacement of lubricant arises much more often. In order not to disassemble the hinges, you can make holes in their threaded plugs into which the M6 thread was cut, and wrap oilers in them.
After such refinement, lubricating the hinges is a matter of a few minutes, only for medium hinges you will need a syringe with a curved tip. To prevent dirt from getting into the oilers, put rubber caps on them after work.