[Injuneer]

Zerk

A zerk is used to lubricate mechanical parts which require grease. A spring-loaded ball inside the zerk compresses when pressure is applied with a grease gun and allows grease to flow through the fitting into the application the zerk is installed. After pressure from the grease gun is released the spring-loaded ball check returns to the head of the zerk and stops dirt and other contaminants from entering the zerk as well as preventing grease from escaping through the head of the zerk. A zerk is available in different threads, lengths, angles, materials, and finishes. A Zerk is commonly referred to as a grease fitting or zerk fitting.

 

[Injuneer]

What kind of "ends" are on the control arms - polyurethane bushings, or spherical rod ends?

 

[Injuneer]

I'm guessing you mean REAR lower control arms. You bought them and installed them, but you don't know what kind of ends you bought, or installed? Are you aware of the differences in handling and noise levels produced by different type of "ends"?

These are rear LCA's with poly bushings - they need poly bushing grease, which is similar to waterproof marine grease. I suspect this is what you have:

This is a spherical rod end, which can be uses on one or both ends, in place of the poly bushings:

 

[Injuneer]

Can anyone explain what the grease does inside of the lca? And what brand of grease would you recommend? I want to install these but haven't really looked to much into them

The control arms pivot around the metal ferruls and the bolts that hold them to the chassis and rear axle assembly. The grease reduces friction, and eliminates noise - really important with polyurethane because they can squeek like crazy.

These are rear LCA's with poly bushings - they need poly bushing grease, which is similar to waterproof marine grease.

I'd get a couple of the little tubs of Energy Supsension poly grease. Coat the bushings liberally, by hand, before installing the control arms. The grease fitting would be used in the future to replace the grease periodically. The tricky part is finding the right grease in a cartridge that will fit in the grease gun required to connect to the Zerk fittings.

 

[Injuneer]

The control arems aren't filled with anything, and the Zerk fitting is not intended to fill them with anything. The Zerk is intended to put a layer of grease between the poly bushing and the metal "eye" of the LCA. You can accomplish that best before installing by pulling the bushing out, and slathering poly bushing grease all around the outside of the bushing and the inside of the metal "eye" on the LCA. I would also grease the ferrules (metal tubes in the bushings) that the bolts go through, inside and out.

After you have driven it 5,000 miles or so, or if the poly starts to squeak, use a grease gun to add grease using the Zerk fittings.