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 secured with insulating tape.
The durability of the ball joints of the steering trapezoid and suspension largely depends on the integrity of the rubber protective covers. Damaged covers can be successfully replaced with pieces of a bicycle inner tube 100–120 mm long. Secure the inner part of the cover with 10 mm wide rings from the same inner tube, 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 with an outer diameter of 65 mm and an inner diameter of 10 mm from 40 mm thick foam rubber. Soak it in nigrol and, having squeezed it slightly, place it in the joint cover, lubricated with "Litol 24" during assembly. Observations show that nigrol protects the joint from water better than "Litol 24", which is supposed to fill the cover. At the same time, scarce lubricant is saved.
Sticking on a rubber patch is usually useless, as it falls off during the operation of the cover. You can restore the tightness of several covers in this way. Clean, gasoline-degreased inner and outer surfaces of the cover, lubricate with glue "88" and apply a layer of thin nylon fabric (a piece of women's stocking). Then - two more layers, also with glue.
After drying, place the covers on the car, where they will serve you well.
How to save steering rod joints? On cars where they are lubricated through grease nipples using a syringe, it is recommended to compress the joint spring with a clamp before this operation. A few extra minutes for car maintenance - but a guarantee that the grease in the joint is completely replaced, abrasive particles and dirt are removed.
On some models, the steering rod joints do not have grease nipples for lubrication. Therefore, it is necessary to give these units an "injection" from time to time (after 3-5 thousand km of run, depending on operating conditions). Take a regular medical syringe of 10 cm³ and a thick needle for it. Heat up the nigrol or hypoid grease, fill the syringe and, having punctured the rubber mud cap at the top of the joint, inject a portion of grease. The hole in the rubber will immediately tighten when you pull out the needle.
The steering joints in some cars are not subject to lubrication. Factory specialists believe that it is cheaper to replace a worn-out unit with a new one during operation. However, from the point of view of a car enthusiast, this is not entirely true. Lubricating the unit once or twice a year is cheaper than paying for a new part and replacement work. Therefore, on the car, without removing the parts, drill a hole with a diameter of 5.2 mm in the center of each plug. Carefully, so that shavings do not get inside the joints, cut M6 threads in the holes, the same as in the ball joint housings on the suspension arms. Make 4-5 mm long plugs for the holes from M6 screws.
After such a modification, each time you service the machine, replenish the lubricant in all joints, using a Staufer oiler 4 with a soldered threaded tip of a suitable diameter.
(Original can be found on the website: «MERCEDESMAN»)
The operating instructions for many cars recommend disassembling and replenishing the lubricant supply every 100 thousand kilometers. However, in practice, and especially when driving on dirty roads, the need to replenish or replace the lubricant arises much more often. In order not to disassemble the joints, you can make holes in their threaded plugs, cut M6 threads, and screw oilers into them.
After such modification, lubricating the joints is a matter of minutes, only for the middle joints you will need a syringe with a curved tip. To prevent dirt from getting into the grease nipples, put rubber caps on them after finishing the work.