u-joint greasing problem

poncho62 · ADMINISTRATOR

u-joint greasing problem

TIME TRAVELLER · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

Yup, just asking. Maybe replace the U joint with one that has the fitting in the cap already? SKF shows an "end lube" option on their website.

http://www.skf.com/files/894637.pdf

-- Edited by poncho62 on Sunday 31st of March 2013 09:10:00 PM

Rustynuts · MAGNETAWAN, ONT

so how are you suppost to grease a u-joint when the yokes are so close that you can't get the grease gun on the nipple?The opening is only about 5/16 wide. In the past I have ground a small groove on the yokes and managed to get the gun on but not this time.

Rustynuts · MAGNETAWAN, ONT

yep that'll work..will do it tomorrow since I get the day off work.....government employee.....

30sx · QUESNEL, BC

if you can remove the nipple you might be able to replace it with one of those needle type grease gun fittings

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

I always use a needle tip to grease "U" joints. Sometimes have to turn the driveshaft around to get at the nipple easier, but the needle tip is the best way i found.

Greasing "U" joints always perplexed me at times, as after awhile the old grease will dry up a bit, and one or two needle bearings get all the grease, while the others don't.

What i did, was take a propane torch and just warm the ones that wouldn't release grease out the seal,(Just heat the end caps,) and then pump gently again, and almost every time all four would then release grease. If this was then kept lubed regularly , and thoroughly, the problem wouldn't show up again.

This is a very common problem with greasing "U" joints, and many lube jobs never get grease to all four sets of needle bearings.

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

i have a greasing adapter that slides over the nipple from the side for really tight clearances, i dont know where i got it but im sure napa sells them

TIME TRAVELLER · NIAGARA REGION, ONT

I have installed U joints that had the grease nipple in the end of one of the bearing cups rather than in the cross - made greasing very easy with no clearance problems. Could you drill and tap an end cup and install a grease fitting?

sasquatch · NORTH BAY, ONT

Re" Drill and tap the end caps, ---The caps are hardened, no?

Rustynuts · MAGNETAWAN, ONT

I removed the ujoint to find it is toast so will get a new one tomorrow. The replacement has the grease nipple in the end cap so problem solved.

Lightspeed Mike · BELLEVILLE, ONT

If you get u joint with a grease nipple in it, you got the weak one. The stronger ones have no grease fittings in them as they are solid.

Hog · WOODSTOCK, ONT

Lightspeed Mike wrote:
If you get u joint with a grease nipple in it, you got the weak one. The stronger ones have no grease fittings in them as they are solid.

Thats always been the debate for me, do I get the hollow joints that are weaker, but may last longer as they can be re-greased, or do I get the stronger joint which is less likely to break, but its bearings may not last as long due to them not being able to be re-greased??

fatstax · COBOURG, ONT

how often has you ever actually broken a u joint? my self only once. having the grease channels in the joint may make it a bit weaker but under normal use a u joint can take a fairly large amount of pressure before failing. solid ones are stronger for sure but i have greasable ones in the rear drive shaft of my tow truck and i have yet to replace one, ive done some pretty heavy pulling with it.