I recently purchased Moog R-Series upper control arms part RK620284. My question is are we supposed to grease the the inside of the ball joint boot on the UCA? The TL R-Series UCA does not have a zerk fitting to aid in greasing the ball joint.

I recently installed the Moog UCA and I kept hearing a sound like marbles or creaking noise. Turns out I needed to replace the new UCA. I installed the replacement UCA and noticed the ball joint on the UCA was not maintaining an inflated shape when I connect the ball joint to the knee assembly. Ball joint boot kept forming creases. I gave up and tightened the castle nut with crease in place. When I go back to check after putting the car back together the ball joint boot had formed a hole and I did not notice any grease coming out of the boot.

Could the lack of not adding grease cause the hole? Finally are there any recommendation to prevent the ball joint boot from tearing during install?

 

Sealed ball joints are supposed to be greased for life, but that doesn't mean that you won't run into a problem with the ball joint being dry due to a manufacturing error. I have first hand experience with a Moog Problem Solver lower ball joint that was completely dry from the factory and failed within 7K miles. I also have first hand experience with Moog Problem Solver front UCAs that had defective bushings, which caused a knocking/popping sound, so I went back to Acura UCAs and never looked back. FYI, the ball joint boots on the Acura UCAs don't have an inflated shape to them and there is no zerk fitting.

 

Years ago, I had the UBJ's replaced with Moog's better replacement BJ's.
They had grease fittings. Beware of Moog's newer "econo-line" products !!!

 

Thanks for the information. Aside from Moog Problem Solver series and OEM control arms, are there any other recommended brands? How about Mevotech? I am thinking of returning the Moog R-Series for possibly the problem solvers or Mevotech UCAs.

 

If ya recently replaced the control arms, consider doing only the BJ's as they can be done with the arm on the car. Moog is starting to get a bad rap for inferior products.

 

After what I went through, I wouldn't even trust their Problem Solver parts. I specifically paid more for the Problem Solver stuff expecting to get better quality and longer life. I got neither and even more added cost when the lower ball joint failed and took out the axle and tweaked the fender.