Chewbacca's Birfield Grease Guide

[Kernal]

Been discussed a lot in the past. Seems like the consensus from the experts is that there isn't much difference between these Moly fortified greases to matter for the average user. If someone's driving across the Arctic they might want to use a NLGI #0-00-000 grease (more liquid viscosity) or if they're driving in water constantly maybe a Marine grease would be better.

But for 99% of us, just about any grease that meets the minimum specs should be OK.

IMHO it seems like if Toyota engineers saw that their solid front axle designs (which are still being produced in the 70 series) needed a grease with different or more detailed specifications they would state that in the Factory Service Manual. Or, if they were seeing early unexpected failures I assume they would issue a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin), at least for current/recent production 70 series.

But we know from our collective experiences that the factory CV joints (Birfs), wheel bearings, spindle bushing/bearings, U-joints, and slip yolks last a very long time before they need to be replaced, assuming they were properly serviced and not run dry or run with contaminated grease.

The experts (I'm not one of them) seem to agree: use what grease you got or what you can get, keep it topped up (with a compatible grease base type), service components as recommeneded in the FSM, and pull everything apart to clean and repack if the grease in the knuckles, hubs, or bearings gets contaminated. FWIW.

 

[Rifleman]

service components as recommeneded in the FSM, and pull everything apart to clean and repack if the grease in the knuckles, hubs, or bearings gets contaminated.

I full hearty agree with what's stated above, pull maintance on your truck when the FSM says it's due, DON'T put it off till later.

 

[chuckd83]

Super Tech Moly grease meets the criteria in the OP. I searched this thread using the search function and didn't see it mentioned.

Super Tech Moly-Lithium Extreme Pressure Grease, 14 oz Tube - Walmart.com

Buy Super Tech Moly-Lithium Extreme Pressure Grease, 14 oz Tube at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[jellis]

...But for a few more bucks a tube you can get something like Delo Moly that specs out 50% to 300%+ better in the relevant ASTM tests. I mean, we're talking a ~$20 difference in an entire front axle rebuild which is a total PITA amount of work so why skimp on the easiest thing to upgrade?

 

[chuckd83]

...But for a few more bucks a tube you can get something like Delo Moly that specs out 50% to 300%+ better in the relevant ASTM tests. I mean, we're talking a ~$20 difference in an entire front axle rebuild which is a total PITA amount of work so why skimp on the easiest thing to upgrade?

Because this is a list, not ranked in order of % spec in ASTM tests. If I'm low on grease and want to add some on a Saturday, I can head to a Walmart and find some.

If I plan to rebuild the axle in a week or two, I can afford the time to find who even sells Delo Moly nearby. Or buy some from Amazon and wait for it to arrive.

 

[Pucker5]

Hey all, my small boot clamp on the inner side of my passenger side cv joint leaked a ton of factory yellow grease. I tightened the clamp but need to replenish the grease. I’m goin with delo or swepco 101. Is delo fully synthetic

Amazon.com: Delo Heavy Duty EP 3% 2 : Automotive

Amazon.com: Delo Heavy Duty EP 3% 2 : Automotive

www.amazon.com

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

Chewbacca's Birfield Grease List

(UPDATE 2018: Hello All, I have updated the list with current grease brands and links, please let me know if I have left any important choices out). Thanks!



Okay... so there are some scattered posts on which greases are appropriate for the Birfield joints on the 80 series Cruisers, so here is a list of some greases I have found that seem to meet the criteria from the 80 series service manual. I noticed that finding grease that meets the criteria described in the manuals can sometimes be difficult, I am attempting to consolodate the list of greases that meet the criteria to one post in order to make it easier to track down the right stuff quickly.

The manual says a few things:

Grease should be NLGI #2
(This is basically what temperature range the grease is designed for)

Grease should have a Lithium thickener
(there are other thickeners out there, but the factory service manual specifies Lithium)

Molybdenum Disulphide additive
(I haven't found any mention of minimum concentration percentage (yet) in my 1993 manual but many 'Mud members mention 2% minimum)

Please let me know if I have missed anything important here. I will post some links to products that I have located online. Please note that as manufacturers change their websites, these links may no longer work.


UPDATED LIST 2018:

AeroShell Grease 64 5% Moly


Mag 1 733 Grey EP Moly Lithium Grease


Valvoline Moly-Fortified Multi-Purpose Grease


Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease


Sta-Lube SL3330 Moly-Graph Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease


Delo Heavy Duty EP 3% 2


CRC SL3146 Moly-Graph Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease - 7 lbs.


Mobil 13.7 oz. Cartridge Extreme Pressure Automotive Grease


Mystik JT-6 Hi-Temp Grease with Moly, 14


Jet-Lube 33050 #202 Moly-Lith Grease


Amsoil has my favorite grease, although it uses a calcium thickener.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/synthetic-polymeric-off-road-grease-nlgi-2-gpor2/




I hope this list comes in handy!
View attachment 502069

I called Valvoline they said 1% Molly I called Lucas to ask about the red and tacky wheel bearing grease and we got on the Molly subject they said they make this mining construction grease that's 5% Molly

Any thoughts on using this and or adding it to your list?

More Moly, More Better?

The 1997 FSM says the same as yours.
*Lithium Base
*Moly Fortified
*NLGI 2

My new Mr T spindles have needle bearings as well as the bushing, I don't want to have any issues so I'm leaning Lucas for a little extra insurance.

Heavy Duty Mining & Construction Grease – Lucas Oil Products, Inc. – Keep That Engine Alive!

lucasoil.com

 

[Rifleman]

I called Valvoline they said 1% Molly I called Lucas to ask about the red and tacky wheel bearing grease and we got on the Molly subject they said they make this mining construction grease that's 5% Molly

Any thoughts on using this and or adding it to your list?

More Moly, More Better?

The 1997 FSM says the same as yours.
*Lithium Base
*Moly Fortified
*NLGI 2

My new Mr T spindles have needle bearings as well as the bushing, I don't want to have any issues so I'm leaning Lucas for a little extra insurance.

Heavy Duty Mining & Construction Grease – Lucas Oil Products, Inc. – Keep That Engine Alive!

lucasoil.com

View attachment 2718254

View attachment 2718259

I read someplace that moly based grease is to slick, and doesn't always allow needle/wheel bearings to rotate as they should. Whereas the red wheel bearing grease is not as slick, and allows the needle/wheel bearings to rotate as they were designed to do.


So if it were me, I'd packed those needle bearing with the same red grease you're planing to use on your wheel bearings.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

I have read th

I read someplace that moly based grease is to slick, and doesn't always allow needle/wheel bearings to rotate as they should. Whereas the red wheel bearing grease is not as slick, and allows the needle/wheel bearings to rotate as they were designed to do.


So if it were me, I'd packed those needle bearing with the same red grease you're planing to use on your wheel bearings.

I have read the same and my refinery operations experience taught me we are correct in this.

However, the spindle bushings and new needle bearings but up to the knuckle and will spend their lives in moly grease from the knuckle where the burfields sit.

So no mater what I do the channels in the spindle will draw in grease from the birf knuckle which is moly.

The Lucas red thick and tacky wheel bearing grease and Lucas mining industrial 5% Molly Grease I'll be putting in the birfs/knuckle are both lithium bases NLGI-2 so I could pack the needles with red wheel bearing grease as they are compatible but the moly will eventually wash it out.

Photos attached, I thought it was interesting Toyota spec these new spindles with needle bearings it also still has channels cut into the bushing

I see a large mountain bike tire sealant syringe filled with grease to pack that needle bearing in my future

 

[kendrick]

Chewbacca's Birfield Grease List

(UPDATE 2018: Hello All, I have updated the list with current grease brands and links, please let me know if I have left any important choices out). Thanks!



Okay... so there are some scattered posts on which greases are appropriate for the Birfield joints on the 80 series Cruisers, so here is a list of some greases I have found that seem to meet the criteria from the 80 series service manual. I noticed that finding grease that meets the criteria described in the manuals can sometimes be difficult, I am attempting to consolodate the list of greases that meet the criteria to one post in order to make it easier to track down the right stuff quickly.

The manual says a few things:

Grease should be NLGI #2
(This is basically what temperature range the grease is designed for)

Grease should have a Lithium thickener
(there are other thickeners out there, but the factory service manual specifies Lithium)

Molybdenum Disulphide additive
(I haven't found any mention of minimum concentration percentage (yet) in my 1993 manual but many 'Mud members mention 2% minimum)

Please let me know if I have missed anything important here. I will post some links to products that I have located online. Please note that as manufacturers change their websites, these links may no longer work.


UPDATED LIST 2018:

AeroShell Grease 64 5% Moly


Mag 1 733 Grey EP Moly Lithium Grease


Valvoline Moly-Fortified Multi-Purpose Grease


Valvoline SynPower Synthetic Automotive Grease


Sta-Lube SL3330 Moly-Graph Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease


Delo Heavy Duty EP 3% 2


CRC SL3146 Moly-Graph Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease - 7 lbs.


Mobil 13.7 oz. Cartridge Extreme Pressure Automotive Grease


Mystik JT-6 Hi-Temp Grease with Moly, 14


Jet-Lube 33050 #202 Moly-Lith Grease


Amsoil has my favorite grease, although it uses a calcium thickener.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/synthetic-polymeric-off-road-grease-nlgi-2-gpor2/




I hope this list comes in handy!
View attachment 502069

Locally here in Canada I can find Shell Rotella SD, looks like it fits the bill: https://www.shell-livedocs.com/data/published/en-US/3892de03-71be-4eab-8a05-b78ef913276f.pdf

 

[LC4LIFE]

I run the Valvoline Moly-Fortified Gray Full Synthetic Grease in the knuckle and Lucas Oil 10005-60-10PK Red Tacky Grease for the wheel bearings. Good success doing that.

 

[OGBeno]

Moly:

Wheel Bearing Grease:

 

[MrMikeyG]

Man, some craft brewery needs to launch "Toyota chassis grease special" as a seasonal flavor. I would love to see the exact same can labeling as well if it didn't result in a lawsuit of some sort.

 

[swixtt]

for any Canadian knuckle-heads ...

KLONDIKE Moly Tac EP-2 Grease is an advanced lithium complex grease formulated with 3% molybdenum disulfide to provide excellent lubricating qualities over a wide range of temperatures.

Moly Tac EP-2 - KLONDIKE Lubricants

KLONDIKE Moly Tac EP-2 Grease is an advanced lithium complex grease formulated with 3% molybdenum disulfide to provide excellent lubricating qualities over a wide range of temperatures. KLONDIKE Moly Tac EP-2 EP Grease is designed to stay in place under … Read More

klondikelubricants.com

 

[BFG1300]

Harbor freight has the Moly-Gragh SL3330 for $5.99 a tube. Best price I have found for any moly grease.

14 Oz. Moly-Graph® Lithium Grease

Amazing deals on this 14Oz Sta-Lube® Moly Graph Lithium Grease at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[93Chewbacca]

Does anyone here have any experience with greases that contain PTFE and molybdenum? This sounds good on paper, but seems like it would need some real-world testing.

 

[Kernal]

There's a NLGI #2 automotive grease with PTFE (no Moly), 880 Crown and Chassis Grease made by Texas Refinery Corp (TRC). The NLGI #2 grade has a Timken load of 100.

https://www.texasrefinery.com/product-specs/880-crown-chassis.pdf

There is a MPT Moly-PTFE Multi-Purpose Grease but it's only available in the NLGI #1 grade.

No experience with either but have been looking at the 880 Crown and Chassis and TRC's Paragon-3000 Moly.

Moly Paragon 3000

www.texasrefinery.com

 

[artech]

Just curious if a chrome moly birfield would want a different type of grease than the OEM units? Wondering if the different material and heat treat might make any difference in required lubrication. I'm doing my front axle again to finally replace my cracked and worn birfs and am going to the gun-drilled type that can be greased without disassembling everything. These are listed as chrome moly birfs and they came packed with a red grease that I'm guessing might be CV-2, so the plan is to keep going with that grease in the birfs and Lucas Red in the bearings and see how it goes. Anyone with any insight before I get to work on this axle?

 

[Malleus]

The flavor of the steel doesn't care. The bearings (balls) are the same.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

Used the new terrain tamer spindle / birf greaser on the recent 30k bearing repack break job.

Worked as advertised, though it was a cool piece of kit as it lubes the spindle, spindle needle bearings and refills the knuckle for the birf.

What interval are y'all repacking your bearings at? I need to get a regiment for preventive maintenance figured out.

George over at cruiser bros had it in stock, good shop, great service.