U-joint Grease
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
U-joint Grease
I was looking at Spicer u-joints at Denny's Driveshaft this evening, and noticed something I hadn't seen before. They say greaseable u-joints should be greased every 3,000 miles. Why is that? Non-greasable joints don't wear out in 3,000. What is it that would cause greaseable joints to wear out faster than non-greasable if they're not lubed periodically?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
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Biggest issue with greasable style is water intrusion. Lubing properly until new grease flows from all 4 trunnions flushes the water and contamination out of it.
For most of our toys it will never be an issue. And of course they have no idea what folks will do with them...like extreme angles on 4x4's and off roading....or 5.13 rear gears and an O/D trans running 80 mph etc...so it's easier to tie lubes to the "Jiffy Lube" 3000 mile oil change deal.
As you mentioned, they've done well in recent years with sealed joints. I run Spicer solids with no issues.
JIM
For most of our toys it will never be an issue. And of course they have no idea what folks will do with them...like extreme angles on 4x4's and off roading....or 5.13 rear gears and an O/D trans running 80 mph etc...so it's easier to tie lubes to the "Jiffy Lube" 3000 mile oil change deal.
As you mentioned, they've done well in recent years with sealed joints. I run Spicer solids with no issues.
JIM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I was looking at Spicer u-joints at Denny's Driveshaft this evening, and noticed something I hadn't seen before. They say greaseable u-joints should be greased every 3,000 miles. Why is that? Non-greasable joints don't wear out in 3,000. What is it that would cause greaseable joints to wear out faster than non-greasable if they're not lubed periodically?
The grease used in the non-zerk u-joints is extremely thick so it stays put whereas the zerk type get greased with #2 chassis lube. When the chassis lube lithium grease gets hot the oil in it separates from the lithium soap carrier and escapes; requiring more frequent lubrication. I usually grease mine every oil change or 10,000 miles.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
Likes: 57
From: Austin TX
The grease used in the non-zerk u-joints is extremely thick so it stays put whereas the zerk type get greased with #2 chassis lube. When the chassis lube lithium grease gets hot the oil in it separates from the lithium soap carrier and escapes; requiring more frequent lubrication. I usually grease mine every oil change or 10,000 miles.
I'm hearing an intermittent squeak from the rear of the car at very low speed rolling up and down the driveway. I'll probably buy Spicer greaseable u-joints and take all three shafts to someone local to press them in and out. Guess I should also buy a flange support plate and take it with the u-joints. I can remember getting halfshafts back in the past and the outer u-joints didn't feel right.
