Constant Velocity joint lubrication.
 

I am currently reconditioning a second hand o/s driveshaft for my manual diesel 75, as I had been unable to find any new or reconditioned ones anywhere (took me a weekend of ringing around breakers as a last resort to find the second hand one! )
I am at the point of reassembly, but I am unsure what lubrication to use for the inner joint.
When I stripped it down the outer joint had the usual grease in it, however the inner joint had quite a light lubricant inside, more like a semi-fluid grease (or Penrite steering box lube).
Does anyone know what the original lubricant specification for the inner joint was?
Just need to add the correct lubricant to finish off, fitted new outer joint assembly, new old stock inner joint spider, new support bearing and renewed both gaiters (also got carried away and bare metalled everything exposed , etched and painted gloss black) :getmecoat:
Thanks in advance, Paul.

Thanks Colvert,
The new inner gaiter came with retaining clips, but no grease.
The inner joint on the second hand shaft appeared to have never been touched before and had a light grease inside when I stripped it.
Possible reason for different lubricant is the inner joint is of a totally different construction to the outer one so may have different requirements?

Hello Paul,

This is an interesting question and it's difficult to draw a reliable conclusion. Your second-hand shaft may have had a different grade of grease from new but its greater fluidity and colour could be due to:

• Deterioration with age or engine heat.
• A different brand.
• A previous incorrect repair.

Inspecting the inner joint on the other side of your car to compare would help but you don't really want to do that!

A search of the internet hasn't brought up any reference to different grades of CV joint grease. This specialist British company has a technical helpline and they sell CV joint grease. I'd be interested to hear their view should you decide to consult them.

Best wishes,

Simon

Been searching on the Internet and found the following information which may or may not be of interest to others;
The outer joints fitted to our cars are standard Constant Velocity joints and should be lubricated with C.V. joint grease or black moly. grease NLGI 2.
The inner joints are tripod joints and consist of three spherical ball cases with tiny needle rollers running on the hardend pins of a spider and require a different lubricant, GKN produce their own lubricant although I can't find any specifications for it, but also recommended is Lithium or synth grease to NLGI 1spec.
C.v./Moly. grease contains solid additives which tend to jam the rollers in a tripod joint causing accelerated wear and premature failure.
Just got to decide which lubricant to order, if I am doing the job, might as well do it properly!

Thanks Paul, that's valuable information for us all. Your approach is a good example of how keen observation and a willingness to spend a bit of time finding the right answer can potentially avoid early component failure. :bowdown:

Simon

Finished assembling the driveshaft today, hopefully get time to fit it at the weekend!
Used NLGI 1 lithium grease found in the back of the stores at work for the tripod joint.

That looks like a first class job - well done!