Greasing Global West Control Arms
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Moorpark, CA
Greasing Global West Control Arms I just got a set of Global West control arms today with the spherical bearings at both ends. They are used, and in great shape.
My question is, how do I grease the spherical bearings in these? The control arms do not have grease fittings on them, so I presume that the bearings are lined and do not require service. However, I searched and read that some members on this site do grease the bearings, and that helps with keeping the noise down.
Does anyone have any advice?
My question is, how do I grease the spherical bearings in these? The control arms do not have grease fittings on them, so I presume that the bearings are lined and do not require service. However, I searched and read that some members on this site do grease the bearings, and that helps with keeping the noise down.
Does anyone have any advice?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, California
Take them off, clean them with WD40 or something like that and then towel dry them and them coat them with wheel bearing grease.
They also make dust covers for rod ends, you might have to grind the spacers down a hair, but they help keep dirt out and grease in.
I'd grease them at least 1 time a month.
They also make dust covers for rod ends, you might have to grind the spacers down a hair, but they help keep dirt out and grease in.
I'd grease them at least 1 time a month.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Moorpark, CA
The control arms are the #TBC-1 for 1982 to 2002 F-body.
Cleaning them with WD40 is what I have heard people talk about, as well as packing them with grease, and just working it around in there. I figure that the bearings are lined, so they're not designed to require grease. However, I've searched in this forum and people have talked about greasing them, so I figured there might be some procedure that already exists.
Cleaning them with WD40 is what I have heard people talk about, as well as packing them with grease, and just working it around in there. I figure that the bearings are lined, so they're not designed to require grease. However, I've searched in this forum and people have talked about greasing them, so I figured there might be some procedure that already exists.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,273
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County, Pa.
I believe these are the LCAs that look just like poly bushed, solid, non-adjustable (fixed length) ones, right?? Just instead of poly or rubber bushings, they have a spherical bearing inside the housing ends. Is this what you have Formulated?? If so, they are NOT a "drag race only" piece and will act just like threaded in rod ends (NO bind), but just be more of a PITA when it comes time to replace the bearings (need a press).
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Moorpark, CA
Replacing these bearings will be a PITA, for sure.
The bearing is actually tack welded in place. The tacks would have to be cut, then replaced with the bearing. Certainly doable, just not easy.
The bearing is actually tack welded in place. The tacks would have to be cut, then replaced with the bearing. Certainly doable, just not easy.
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12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,273
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From: Bucks County, Pa.
That does sound like a PITA!! 
Are you sure that they are not just pressed in there really soild (like the lower ball joints in the front control arms)?? I can't believe GW would tack weld them! You would think that the heat from even a quick tack weld would/could melt the delrin/teflon/whatever lining of the spherical bearing.
Are you sure that they are not just pressed in there really soild (like the lower ball joints in the front control arms)?? I can't believe GW would tack weld them! You would think that the heat from even a quick tack weld would/could melt the delrin/teflon/whatever lining of the spherical bearing. LS1 Tech Stories
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