I am putting the transmission back into the car and wanting to grease the u-joint but there is no fitting for a grease gun. My u-joint is in REALLY nice shape and I want to keep it that way. The cup has a hole in the top with a plug which I assume is how you lube it, but need to know what grease/ lube to use. Thanks
There should be a zerk (lube) fitting on the u-joint cover (clamshell) if yours has a plug replace it with a grease fitting. The zerk fitting should be on the bottom for easy access. Then you can fill the cover with chassis lube. Good luck, The FOGGER
After you bolt the u joint to the output shaft on the trans, grab a handful of grease (I use wheel bearing grease that comes in a small tub) and pack the u joint full and then loosely pack the clam shell with grease, not so much that it will get pushed out when you put the clam shell on the trans. Should be enough to do the job but not so much that it will blow out the gasket. Eric
Now interesting issues...it does NOT get normal chassis grease, which is typically too stiff and really has no way to get into the trunnions. Practically all have spent their lives running in chassis grease, since there's a Zerc there, but I think they survived only because of leaked 140 from the trans...the leak plus the grease probably get whipped into useable butter eventually. Ford called for "Universal joint lubricant(cylinder oil soda soap grease)" in the '46 service volume. I'm not sure there are any living human beings who know what the hell this is. If you look at the arrangement, it seems pretty clear that regular chassis grease is too immobile. Here's what I think is a sensible discussion with modern alternatives: It is stolen from a regional paper at http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/v-8northernvirginia/Valve Clatter/VC0402.pdf TECH TIP–EditorWhen is the last time that you have thought about yourU-Joint? Yes, that coupler that is enclosed by two halfcups behind your transmission? Have you greased itlately? Was it greased properly in the first place whenyou pulled the rear end out?The owners manual calls for using “universal jointlubricant (cylinder oil soda soap grease). What is this andwhat modern grease duplicates it? Well, here isinformation about that forgotten mechanism that Igleamed in a Flathead forum on the internet. First, a lowtemperature grease is required. If the wrong type hightemp is used the u-joint will spin inside and make a holein the grease which will remained packed around theedges of the cup. Not good, as there will be nolubrication. A low melt grease such as Pennzoil PennlithEP, Valvoline General Multi-Purpose or Mystik JT-6 isthe substitute. These have a drop point (roughly meltingpoint) of 250 – 275 degrees, thus will soften and becomerunny to better lubricate the u-joint. Do not use wheelbearing grease, which melts at 400 degrees to preventgrease running on the brakes.It takes two tubes or more to pack the housing initially,then greased when the chassis is lubed or as the forumsuggest, at the beginning of the tour season. The Ford u-joints are tough and will last forever if lubed properly.Beware of the foreign parts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interesting observation that I have discussed with several flathead U-Joint fans...it is actually rare to find worn trunnions in the solid bearing Ford U-joints, and almost all used ones are good to go. The Lincoln Needle bearing ones that so many people want is invariably found worn out. It may just be more sensitive to chassis greas that can't get in!
I smushed as much white lithium grease around the U-joint and into the inner cup as I could when I installed one. Then I've given it a squirt of chassis grease every now and then. The little bit that squeezes out the cork gasket at the back of the clamshell actually does look like dirty butter. I must be doing OK. All these guys who think they are solving problems when they install sealed bearings on the ends of their transmissions might actually be doing harm to their U-joints.
I think white lithium is just the sort of consistency you need, until archaeologists discover the lost secret of cylinder soap grease...I think the formula was buried with Henry.
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