Friend wants to grease the 4 x 4. Started checking the internet for a map of lube points and saw the lube spec for the u-joints; EP with warnings to not use chassis lube. I don"t know what I got in my grease gun but I imagine it is one of those multi-purpose lithium greases black stuff or red farm grease. Went to TSC to look over what they sell and think I learned a thing or two. Not sure. Anyway, the cheap multi-purpose stuff ($.89) and the more expensive stuff ($1.29) says good for chassis, u-joints (my bush hog drive shaft) and everything else around farm, home, and industry; hence "multi-purpose." The "premium" stuff ($1.89) says the same thing but actually mentions Extreme Pressure. Premium also mentions it is good enough to be rated some disc and drum brake spec, of which I know nothing. So there you have it and I will stick with the premium grease at twice the price.
We will get the 4 x 4 greased up good and I know the drive shaft is getting what it needs for longest life.Here is one outfit"s instructions for u-joint lube: Maintenance Among the most common causes of U-joint and slip failure is the lack of proper lubrication. Properly sized U-joints that are adequately lubricated at recommended intervals will normally meet or exceed operational requirements. Proper lubrication flushes of U-joints thus remove contaminants from the bearing caps. U-Joint Lubrication Proper cross and bearing lubrication requires purging the U-joint. The seals are designed to relieve contaminants and old lubricants when fresh grease is installed. This occurs when excess lubricant appears at the bearing caps seals. All bearing caps must be purged to insure full lubrication. To remedy a non-purged bearing cap, side to side movement of the shaft in all directions may loosen the seal. If the seal will not purge, the cap should be partially removed, then purged. Slip Spline Lubrication [My bush hog drive shaft does not have slip spline lube.] Proper slip spline lubrication will occur when the shaft is in its operating length. Lubricant should be installed at the center grease fitting until excess grease "purges" from beneath the seal tube. Lubrication Specifications Extreme pressure (EP) greases of high quality are recommended for universal joints and slip splines. Lithium soap base greases meeting National Lubricating Greases Institute Grade 1 (NGL1) and Grade 2 are preferred. Avoid using greases that tend to separate and cake. For applications with shaft speeds less than 500 rpm, a mineral oil SAE 140 to SAE 250 viscosity may be used. Lubrication Intervals U-joint lubrication must occur after the first 200 hours of service and three months thereafter. Severe applications require shorter intervals of lubrication service. The slip spline should be lubricated each time the U-joint is serviced.
Maintenance Inspections Prior to proper lubrication a general shaft inspection should be done. All fasteners on the joints or mating flanges should be checked for tightness. U-joints and the slip spline should be checked for play, if any variance is noted the shaft should be overhauled and balanced. Any vibration or abnormal noise noticed during operation should be located and remedied at once.
| 
