boaterboy Posted April 23, 2021 Share Posted April 23, 2021 I'm re-posting this as my earlier topic title gave no lead as to my question! I've spotted grease nipples on the U/Js & Prop Shafts on my vehicle. Is greasing these items a regular maintenance job? And, if so, what be the frequency of carrying it out and what grease should be used, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teabag Posted April 24, 2021 Share Posted April 24, 2021 14 hours ago, boaterboy said: I'm re-posting this as my earlier topic title gave no lead as to my question! I've spotted grease nipples on the U/Js & Prop Shafts on my vehicle. Is greasing these items a regular maintenance job? And, if so, what be the frequency of carrying it out and what grease should be used, please? Depends of the vehicle, off-roading mud and floods frequently. Street use ones a year which I do only takes 5/10 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share Posted April 24, 2021 Thank you, teabag, for your advice. I've now done this and below are my findings in case they should help anyone. Front prop shaft - Front U/J - grease nipple already fitted but unable to grease, reluctant to apply too much pressure for fear of bursting seal(s) Sliding joint - grub screw fitted, inserted grease nipple and able to pump in grease. 'Double' rear U/Js - no grease nipple(s) fitted or grub screw(s) to allow for fitting of grease nipple(s). So, greasing not possible. Rear prop shaft - Front U/J - grease nipple already fitted but unable to grease, reluctant to apply too much pressure for fear of bursting seal(s) Sliding joint - grease nipple already fitted, able to pump in grease until seen. Rear U/J - rubber do-nut type, therefore no greasing required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 It's occurred to me that reason that I can't get any grease into the grease nipple(s) is because the tiny ball(s) at the end of the grease nipple(s) is corroded in? I wonder if a very gentle tap would free it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Definitely worth a try, could just be stuck with dried grease, which means WD40 and a pokey thing, or just remove it and give it a good wash out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted April 26, 2021 Author Share Posted April 26, 2021 In the end, I unscrewed the grease nipples and cleared by pumping grease through - but having refitted I still couldn't get any grease into the U/Js. Guess they must be full already. Didn't want to overdo it for fear of bursting any seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 It sort of the idea, to squeeze the old grease out of the seals, you won't harm them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon W Posted April 30, 2021 Share Posted April 30, 2021 They can take a bit of pressure. They make a satisfying noise when the grease squeezes through. The double carden joint can cause issues if it fails as tends to take the transmission out. So worth inspecting carefully. Then depending on the type of use, if off road a lot maybe change joint for some with grease nipples to allow greasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boaterboy Posted May 1, 2021 Author Share Posted May 1, 2021 Thank you for that, I'll try again pumping grease in. Presumably, one seal will 'give' before the others and having released the pressure in the u/j none of the other seals will 'leak'? No off-road type use so hopefully double carden joint will have a long life? Vehicle currently at 120k miles. Why aren't grease nipples fitted from new, I wonder? Solely cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 The old grease gun I have has a rigid pointed tip as opposed to the ones that "clip" over the joint. This makes it easy to push the ball in and grease. I don't see many of this design now. Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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