Lub for 34 Ford U Joint Housing

S

sdperham

Junior Member
I'm reinstalling a transmission and about to install the 2 clamshell U Joint housing parts. There is a lub nipple on the underside of one of the clam shells.

To ensure the universal joint is properly lubricated within the inner housing, should I push grease directly into the Inner U Joint Housing? (see arrow on pic)

Or instead, should I just install the outer shells, and just push enough lub through the nipple to inject enough grease to get to the universal joint?

Thanks!
 

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sdperham said:
I'm reinstalling a transmission and about to install the 2 clamshell U Joint housing parts. There is a lub nipple on the underside of one of the clam shells.

To ensure the universal joint is properly lubricated within the inner housing, should I push grease directly into the Inner U Joint Housing? (see arrow on pic)

Or instead, should I just install the outer shells, and just push enough lub through the nipple to inject enough grease to get to the universal joint?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
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Looks like you are missing the felt or cork seal in the recess at the back of the cap (shell).
 
I pour 0-0 grease through the speedometer turtle to lube the U-joint after assembly is complete. Rub a thin coat of chassis grease on the outside of the inner cup and inside of the outer before assembly. Do make sure the felt seal is installed with its split upward and all the gaskets are installed.
 
Thank you for all your comments which has been very helpful!

This truck means a lot to our family as it was my grandfather's new. I am learning as fast as I can to ensure any maintenance mistakes I might make are minor, not major.

If I may, a couple follow-up questions.....

First, I do have the cork seal and will install it with the split at the top of the shell.

I acquired a general-purpose grease (pic) which I assume is fine for the purpose of applying as suggested both on the inside of the shell as well as through the lub nipple. Let me know if there is anything wrong with this type of lub for the job.

I had a hard time imagining how the any lubricant was going to get inside the inner shell and lub the universal joint. I will buy some 00 lube like the brand shown and add to the speedometer opening. Can I ask a silly question?
How much 00 oil would you apply?
Ok to use the RTV gasket material (see pic) to reseal the speedometer turtle?

In the end, I still worry that I am not getting any real lubrication on the universal joint on the inside of the inner shell. Will this somehow be accomplished by just injecting the general-purpose lub through the outer shell lub nipple?

Again, you guys are great at helping me step through this lubrication process to ensure this old gal stays healthy for my grandkids!
 

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Many use John Deere corn head grease for this purpose.


Terry's instruction for the seal seam being at the top is for a one-piece clam shell as was originally used on '32-'34 Ford rear axle assemblies. Yours is a '35 plus two-piece shell and in that case, the seal will have its two seams where the two halves meet.
 
sdperham said:
I'm reinstalling a transmission and about to install the 2 clamshell U Joint housing parts. There is a lub nipple on the underside of one of the clam shells.

To ensure the universal joint is properly lubricated within the inner housing, should I push grease directly into the Inner U Joint Housing? (see arrow on pic)

Or instead, should I just install the outer shells, and just push enough lub through the nipple to inject enough grease to get to the universal joint?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Pack the lube in there around that U-joint before installing the clamshell, BUT ...... use the green John Deere Cornhead grease, NOT this red goop.

Coop

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Thank you Coop! Since I already pulled the back axel forward back on position and attached springs etc, how do you feel about me filling inner space (U joint) with the Cornhead greese from the two access holes on either side of the inner shell? ( see arrow on picture above).

If that's not good enough, I'll go ahead and jack up the truck and Republic the axel and do it right.
 
sdperham said:
Thank you Coop! Since I already pulled the back axel forward back on position and attached springs etc, how do you feel about me filling inner space (U joint) with the Cornhead greese from the two access holes on either side of the inner shell? ( see arrow on picture above).

If that's not good enough, I'll go ahead and jack up the truck and Republic the axel and do it right.
Click to expand...


I'll just say it this way ..... that U-joint only gets its lubrication from one place. I just can't imagine being able to pack that U-joint and the cavity behind it FULL of JD Cornhead grease by squirting it in those little holes. I know that it is a pain in the *** to pull that rear/torque tube out again, but I would want to SEE that cavity packed full if it were mine. Good luck!

Coop

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Well said and the truck is too important. So back goes the axel and I’ll pack it right with corn head grease.

Terry or Coop, just want to clarify that there is a suggestion to pour 00 grease in the speedometer turtle opening.
Are we saying a few tablespoons or more?
Or can that also be the Corn head grease?

Thanks again everyone.
Shel
 
Pump the corn head into the grease nipple. When you see it at the turtle hole then you know it's full. It might take a full cartridge of grease.
 
Ford did not have a Specification for the amount of the original lube for the U-joint if you use 0-0 grease I would suggest about 6 to 8 OZ. There is no need to fill to the top since the grease will recombine and lube the U-joint and the drive shaft bearing. Pouring the grease through the speedometer turtle and it goes directly into the U-joint cavity.

No need to use sealant on the speedometer turtle but a little won't hurt. Most of the time the turtle gasket is reusable.
 
I have lubed U joints with corn head grease without pulling the torque tube and rearend using the grease zerk. I have successfully pumped 3/4 of a tube of grease in there. It had to lube the U joint.
 
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