They are a sealed unit. The lower ball joints are lubricated for the life of the vehicle and have no grease fitting due to space constraints.
If you don't see a grease fitting then it is sealed for life and cannot be greased. My answer applies to my cars, a 1989 Honda Civic, and a 1997 Toyota Camry, but your car might be similar. On my cars, I have to remove the ball joints, then pull down the boot along the tapering ball joint bolt (to provide an opening), then (carefully!) insert a thin greasing tube inside the boot and give it a shot of grease. You can get the greasing tube from auto supply shops (Pep Boys, etc.). It's a thin tube (about 1/8" to 1/16" diameter), and fits a standard grease gun.
each tie rod end and lower ball joint if they have be replaced
Yes, there are only grease fittings on the lower control arm ball joints one each side. It seems that some were delivered with these grease fittings and some just had thread plugs instead.
remove tires, remove both caliper bridge bolts, put caliper on upper control arm, remove rotor, take out lower ball joint bolt, using pry bar or pipe separate lower ball joint, if not lose already use pickle fork or a bar to put pressure and separate, move steering knuckle away from lower ball joint, use air hammer or equiv. and push rivets out of ball joint. once all three rivets are pressed out ball joint will fall out and re install. install ball joint, some come with bolts and nuts. factory control arm will only come with new riveted ball joint. put bolts and nuts on new ball joint, tighten install zerx fitting, re-attach steering kuckle to ball joint by pushing down on the lower control arm and then forward on the knuckle. to align ball joint with hole on knuckle. re-install new ball joint bolt. once tight grease zerx fitting. re install rotor, caliper ect.
2 fittings for the upper front a-arms 1 fitting for the lower steering post (depending on model year) 2 fittings for the lower front ball joints 2 fittings for the tie rod ends (depending on model year) 2 fittings on the front universal joints on front half shafts 1 fitting on front drive shaft universal joint 1 fitting on mid drive shaft universal joint 1 fitting on expansion sleeve for mid drive shaft 4 fittings on upper a-arms in rear 4 fittings on lower a-arms in rear 2 fittings on sway bar in rear You may want to check into a clymer manual, or even an owners manual that shows pictures in detail where each of these fittings are.
no
The temperature that grease freezes at depends on the density and composition. The more that is in the grease and the thicker it is the lower the freezing point.
If you have taken apart the transmatic transaxle, add 10 oz of automotive type grease to all the gears, shafts and so on. If you have not taken it apart, there are two holes on edges of the axles, on the lower back side of each end where a special fitting fit and grease can be pumped in. This tool is not available for purchase, your MTD technician probably has it.
I have the same problem and the consensus is that it is the lower ball joints. Try to get grease into the lower ball joint (with a pointed applicator) or replace them.
The temperature that grease freezes at depends on the density and composition. The more that is in the grease and the thicker it is the lower the freezing point.
Lower ball joints. Grease nipple is accessible from the front
how do i change lower ball joint that is pressed in on a 99 tahoe