U Joint & Drive Shaft Splines Greasing Questions...

[djzimms]

Questions on greasing the splines/drive shaft & u joint...

I've pulled the rear drive shaft (and marked alignment). I replaced one u joint, man, that is not a fun job. On the second u joint, as described in another forum, I put a little grease in the caps. Also, between getting the first set in & the second, I inserted the zirc as I saw recommended by a member that it was tough to insert the zirc after putting all 4 caps in. What I'm guessing the problem is, is that this created air pressure within the u joint. I got one side in to the point were I could put the internal c pin installed, but when trying to press it through far enough to get the other c pin installed...POP...the top of the cap exploded off. Has anyone else experienced this?! I've reached out to the supplier to see if I can get just an end cap to finish off the project and figured I'd pull the zirc out prior to trying to finish up the job. I am going to do the front u joints as well this weekend & plan to leave the zirc off to relieve any air pressure building in the spider.

On greasing the splines...I haven't seen any good videos on doing this appropriately on Mud, only discussions. I get/understand, at least I think to put the grease right on the splines (I've already cleaned the rear ones out really well), as well as push some grease into the zirc until you see movement. I certainly don't want to over grease from the described impact of this, but don't want to under grease as well. Do you pump the grease in the zirc until you see movement while you have the drive shaft off the vehicle or after you've installed it back on the truck? Does anyone have a great video to demonstrate how much grease and this process?

I found this one where the guy is greasing the splines of an F150 on youtube, is this a good example:

Any tips, guidance, better video examples, etc. are greatly appreciated in advance! Thanks!!!

 

[bigredmachine]

I grease the slip joint while its on the truck and I just do a few pumps every time I do an oil change

 

[djzimms]

I grease the slip joint while its on the truck and I just do a few pumps every time I do an oil change

But what about after you've completely cleaned the entire thing out?

 

[bigredmachine]

But what about after you've completely cleaned the entire thing out?

I haven't disassembled the slip joint on mine, but id stick with a few pumps drive it around and go for a few more as the grease starts to work its way around. too much grease and itll turn the drive shaft into a pogo stick. its always easier to add more than it is to take it out

 

[shocktower]

Questions on greasing the splines/drive shaft & u joint...

I've pulled the rear drive shaft (and marked alignment). I replaced one u joint, man, that is not a fun job. On the second u joint, as described in another forum, I put a little grease in the caps. Also, between getting the first set in & the second, I inserted the zirc as I saw recommended by a member that it was tough to insert the zirc after putting all 4 caps in. What I'm guessing the problem is, is that this created air pressure within the u joint. I got one side in to the point were I could put the internal c pin installed, but when trying to press it through far enough to get the other c pin installed...POP...the top of the cap exploded off. Has anyone else experienced this?! I've reached out to the supplier to see if I can get just an end cap to finish off the project and figured I'd pull the zirc out prior to trying to finish up the job. I am going to do the front u joints as well this weekend & plan to leave the zirc off to relieve any air pressure building in the spider.

On greasing the splines...I haven't seen any good videos on doing this appropriately on Mud, only discussions. I get/understand, at least I think to put the grease right on the splines (I've already cleaned the rear ones out really well), as well as push some grease into the zirc until you see movement. I certainly don't want to over grease from the described impact of this, but don't want to under grease as well. Do you pump the grease in the zirc until you see movement while you have the drive shaft off the vehicle or after you've installed it back on the truck? Does anyone have a great video to demonstrate how much grease and this process?

I found this one where the guy is greasing the splines of an F150 on youtube, is this a good example:

Any tips, guidance, better video examples, etc. are greatly appreciated in advance! Thanks!!!

I know you are using a cheap after market U-joint, get a Matsuba from cruiser outfitters, there is no way you would explode the cap while using the Japanese ones, I had went through 2 sets in one year using an after market u-joint

 

[Rifleman]

I grease the slip joint while its on the truck and I just do a few pumps every time I do an oil change

When i grease my drive shaft i do mine a little differently, i like to put my truck up on 4 jack stands. By doing that it seems to take the load off the drive shaft slip joints, making it a little easier to pump the grease into the splines.

 

[woodsman 44]

The key is when you grease the splined shaft make sure and unscrew, take off zirk and it will release the pressure caused by hydraulics of grease being pumped in....drive it a bit with zerk out to make sure it s not hydralocked..

A driveline acts like a hydraulic ram when u pump grease into it, puts tons of pressure on T-case the more u pump..

 

[djzimms]

The key is when you grease the splined shaft make sure and unscrew, take off zirk and it will release the pressure caused by hydralics of grease being pumped in....drive it a bit with zerk out to make sure it s not hydralocked..

That sounds like a good idea, but initially, what process should I go through to ensure that I've put enough grease on the right places, or pumped through the zirc, and not too much grease? Do I coat the splines like the video posted above, do a couple/few/20 pumps of grease into the zirc (yes, being a bit sarcastic on the 20 pumps), or, do I just put a couple pumps, drive it, a couple pumps more, etc. to get the grease into it?! I've seen a few different philosophies on Mud, and I'm a rookie, just following instructions as best I can.

 

[mudgudgeon]

I know you are using a cheap after market U-joint, get a Matsuba from cruiser outfitters, there is no way you would explode the cap while using the Japanese ones, I had went through 2 sets in one year using an after market u-joint

Agreed. I think I've always installed u joints with zirk fitted.
I'd expect air to push past seals well before a cap broke.
It's it possible done of your needle bearings shifted, and they broke the cap.
Use OEM or Matsuba/Terrain Tamer joints only.

That sounds like a good idea, but initially, what process should I go through to ensure that I've put enough grease on the right places, or pumped through the zirc, and not too much grease? Do I coat the splines like the video posted above, do a couple/few/20 pumps of grease into the zirc (yes, being a bit sarcastic on the 20 pumps), or, do I just put a couple pumps, drive it, a couple pumps more, etc. to get the grease into it?! I've seen a few different philosophies on Mud, and I'm a rookie, just following instructions as best I can.

I would grease both parts of the spline liberally before putting it together. once in the truck, give it a half dozen pumps.
Drive for a week, pump in a little more until it just starts to shift. Then a few pumps each oil change

 

[Stevesnj]

Just a 2-3 pumps in the spline zerk, and always pump the joints until the grease flows out of the cap seal to ensure proper greasing. This will also push out old grease. This is very messy and you will need to dig out all the excess grease from around the joint and flange but the joints will be fully lubed. I only use OEM or Matsuba joints. anything else are not as tough.

 

[djzimms]

Just a 2-3 pumps in the spline zerk, and always pump the joints until the grease flows out of the cap seal to ensure proper greasing. This will also push out old grease. This is very messy and you will need to dig out all the excess grease from around the joint and flange but the joints will be fully lubed. I only use OEM or Matsuba joints. anything else are not as tough.

But, considering I cleaned out the splines where there is absolutely no grease, should I also grease them up like how the video shows above before putting them back together...and then pump in 2-3 pumps in the zirc?

 

[Tedward]

Wipe some grease on the splines. Put it all back together. Pump some grease in there. Pull the grease fitting out. Jack up the truck, let it down, jack it up let it down. This will let grease out if there is too much.
Just dont over do it with grease gun. You can pump more in if you like and then remove the fitting and jack it up let it down, repeat, spin around the block once, whatever and put the fittin back IN.

 

[djzimms]

Awesome, thanks!

 

[greentruck]

I think you got what you needed here. Don't overdo it at first if you're working on a clean driveshaft that has no grease. Grease the splines to make assembly easy, assemble,install on truck, then install zerk, then put enough grease in until you get a little motion. Then recheck in a month or so, again adding a little grease until you just get movement. You should be good at that point, but check again after another month and grease a little more if still needed.