Is it okay to put anti-seize on ball joints?

The short answer is no, it is generally not recommended to apply anti-seize compound to ball joints. Ball joints are designed to move freely, and adding a lubricant like anti-seize can actually interfere with their proper function and lead to premature wear or failure. Instead, it's best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintaining and servicing ball joints.

Understanding Ball Joints and Anti-Seize

Ball joints are critical suspension components that allow the wheels on a vehicle to move up and down and turn left and right. They consist of a ball-shaped stud that fits into a socket, allowing for a wide range of motion. Ball joints are designed to operate with a specific amount of lubrication, usually a high-quality grease, to reduce friction and wear.

Anti-seize compounds, on the other hand, are lubricants primarily used to prevent galling, seizing, and corrosion on threaded fasteners, such as nuts and bolts. They contain a mixture of metallic particles, usually copper or aluminum, suspended in a lubricating base.

Why Anti-Seize is Not Recommended for Ball Joints

• Interferes with Movement: The metallic particles in anti-seize can create a sticky, gummy texture that can restrict the free movement of the ball joint, leading to premature wear and failure.


• Attracts Dirt and Debris: Anti-seize compounds can also attract dirt, dust, and other contaminants, which can further accelerate wear and damage the ball joint.


• Incompatible Lubricants: The base lubricant in anti-seize may not be compatible with the grease used in the ball joint, potentially causing the grease to break down or become ineffective.

Instead of using anti-seize, it's best to follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for inspecting and servicing ball joints, which typically involves periodically repacking them with the appropriate grease.

Proper Ball Joint Maintenance

To properly maintain ball joints, you should:

• Regularly inspect the ball joints for signs of wear, such as looseness, clicking, or uneven tire wear.


• If the ball joints need to be replaced, do so in pairs (both left and right) to ensure even suspension performance.


• When servicing ball joints, use only the grease recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.


• Avoid using any additional lubricants, such as anti-seize, unless specifically directed by the manufacturer.

By following the proper maintenance procedures and avoiding the use of anti-seize on ball joints, you can help ensure the long-term reliability and performance of your vehicle's suspension system.

What is the best lubricant for ball joints?

The best grease for ball joints is typically a high-quality NLGI #2 GC-LB rated chassis grease, with many recommending a lithium-based or synthetic grease. For severe conditions, marine-grade or greases with molybdenum disulfide (moly) are excellent options, while general-purpose grease is suitable for most light-duty vehicles.
 
Recommended types of grease

• NLGI #2 GC-LB: This is the standard rating for greases that are suitable for both ball joints (GC) and wheel bearings (LB), making it a great all-around choice. 
• Lithium-based grease: A common and effective type for suspension components like ball joints. Some popular options include "red and tacky" or premium lithium greases. 
• Synthetic grease: Recommended by many engineers for steering and suspension parts, synthetic greases offer good performance across a wide range of temperatures. 
• Marine grease: This type of grease is designed to be highly water-resistant, making it a good choice for vehicles that are frequently exposed to water. 
• Moly grease: Often recommended for heavy-duty or slow-speed applications like ball joints, as the added moly provides extra protection against pressure and friction. 

What to look for

• Rating: Ensure the grease is rated GC-LB by the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI). 
• Staying power: Choose a grease that can handle pressure and friction without breaking down, especially if you drive in tough conditions. 
• Water resistance: Look for a grease that repels water to prevent it from mixing with the lubricant. 

Tips for greasing

• Clean the fitting: Always wipe the grease fitting (zerk) clean before you apply new grease to avoid pushing dirt into the joint. 
• Avoid mixing: Do not mix greases of different types, as this can compromise performance. 
• Follow manufacturer recommendations: Always check your vehicle's owner's manual or the ball joint manufacturer's instructions for specific recommendations. 

Should you use anti-seize on a ball joint?

When reinstalling, do not use anti seize or grease, only lube you should use is penetrating oil as it'll dissipate over time. Just a wire brush or some sand paper to clean the inner surface where you're pressing the ball joint into.

Can you use anti-seize on moving parts?

In short, a grease is used to lubricate moving (dynamic) parts. whereas, an anti-seize compound is used to prevent non-moving (static) parts from seizing.

Where should you not use anti-seize?

Do not use anti-seize on torque-sensitive parts like lug nuts and many modern spark plugs, because it can lead to over-torquing and potential damage. It should also be avoided on moving parts such as brake caliper slide pins, as these require a specific lubricant to prevent seizing, and over-application of anti-seize can cause other issues. Additionally, it's unnecessary and can cause problems on threads that are already treated with a special coating.
 
This video explains why you should not use anti-seize on modern spark plugs: 1mUnderhood ServiceYouTube · May 8, 2020
When not to use anti-seize

• Torque-sensitive parts: Because anti-seize lubricates the threads, it can cause a fastener to be over-tightened. This is particularly dangerous for components with precise torque specifications, such as: 
  • Lug nuts: Modern wheel studs and nuts are designed to be torqued dry. The lubricant changes the torque value, which can lead to over-tightening, and can also cause the lug nuts to loosen later. 
  • Spark plugs: Many modern spark plugs have a special coating that prevents them from seizing. Applying anti-seize can lead to over-torquing, which can damage the plug or strip the threads in the cylinder head. 
• Moving parts: Anti-seize is not a substitute for a true lubricant, which is necessary for components that move frequently. 
  • Brake caliper slide pins and guide bushings: These parts require a specific brake lubricant to ensure they slide freely. Anti-seize is the wrong product and can cause them to seize up later. 
• Parts with pre-applied coatings: If a fastener or part has a factory-applied anti-corrosion or anti-seize coating, applying more is redundant and can alter the correct torque specification. 
• Damaged threads: If threads are already damaged, anti-seize will not fix the problem. The threads must be repaired first. 

This video demonstrates why you should not use anti-seize on brake caliper pins: 58sFirst Place Auto PartsYouTube · May 27, 2021
When to use anti-seize

• Exhaust bolts: These are often exposed to high heat and can be difficult to remove later. 
• Oxygen sensor threads: These can seize in the exhaust system and are difficult to remove. 
• Spark plugs with worn or missing coatings: If the coating is removed during a previous installation or is not present on an older plug, anti-seize can be used, following the manufacturer's recommendations and applying it sparingly to avoid the torque issues mentioned above.