Inspect the front end for grease fittings on the lower ball joints, drag link, driveshaft, and sometimes the 4WD linkage; factory parts may use sealed lifetime grease and lack Zerk fittings, while aftermarket parts often have them. For a front-end rebuild, replace all tie rods and the upper and lower ball joints, and inspect the sway bar bushings and end links.
The owner of a 2002 Ford F-150 4x4 asked where grease fittings are located after finding two on the passenger side of the front end. An expert said lower ball joints and the drag link have fittings, and the driveshaft or 4WD linkage sometimes do as well, but factory sealed components may not include Zerk fittings, so the truck must be inspected. When asked what a front-end rebuild should include, another expert recommended replacing all tie rods and the upper and lower ball joints, and checking the sway bar bushings and end links.
