U-Joint lube without zerks

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Apr 27, 2006 | 01:32 PM

Melwill68

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 135

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From: New Braunfels TX

U-Joint lube without zerks

Planned to lubricate the u-joints on my 73 and was surprised to find that only the outside half shafts had grease fittings. The remaining joints were sealed units. Is this factory standard or could they have been replaced at one time or another? Anyone think that the sealed units should be cleaned and lubed?

Thanks,
Mel

Apr 27, 2006 | 02:06 PM

pws69

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 2,668

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From: Eastern US XX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melwill68

Standard GM UJoints have no grease fittings. Do NOT try to disassemble and grease the sealed units - they will not be usable anymore. Just leave the "greaseless" ones alone until they fail and then replace them with Greasable (if that's what you want in there) Spicers .

Apr 27, 2006 | 03:35 PM

fast idle

Pro

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 570

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From: glace bay nova scotia

grease zerks will weaken the joint, thats why the more expensive ones have no zerks.

Apr 28, 2006 | 08:10 AM

mbeeman350

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2003

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From: Auburndale Florida

2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified

St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast idle

grease zerks will weaken the joint, thats why the more expensive ones have no zerks.

True to a point....but anything under 400 hp and street tires should not be a problem. The straps will give first. Just rebuilt my 1/2 shafts and used greasable U joints, this time

Apr 28, 2006 | 09:31 AM

jdmick

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Minnesota

My last Suburban had over 230,000 miles on the original non-greasable joints and was still going strong. Don't worry about em.

Apr 28, 2006 | 11:09 AM

redvetracr

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 18,126

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From: WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by fast idle

grease zerks will weaken the joint, thats why the more expensive ones have no zerks.

Have you seen the greasables where the zerk is not in the cross but in the end of a cap??
...redvetracr

Apr 28, 2006 | 11:38 PM

fastvette1

Heel & Toe

Joined: Feb 2006

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Just information for greasable universals. You can not find proper grease to grease the joints. Most greases are made for a sealed area. Look at your dust caps at frt wheel brgs. Grease is always leaking out.The half shafts turn at a higher revolution & the grease that you buy from any store is made for wheel brgs & frt end parts. You need a anti fling grease which is hard to come by. Usually industrial greases. Do your self a favor & buy only HD non greasable universals. Hapa # 231 or same joint used in 85 up vetts. Small bit of information, use to by direct from percision universal years ago. We use to do all there work on two vetts. They gave us a lot of information on universals & problems.BY ONLY NON GREASABLE JOINTS & SAME TIME & GREASE CLEANUP.