Universal Joints

I know that there are hundreds of posts about greasing UJs which I have read…

I bought my Land Rover 1 yr ago and so I am still learning the numerous things that need regular attention/servicing! Over the summer I have replaced all the fluids and today I went to grease the UJs. Rear UJs no probs but both front UJs wouldn’t take grease… I took out the nipples and tried them on the gun and they work fine.

I am wondering does this mean that because I dont use 4x4 very often and I have free wheeling hubs (and it has taken me a year to get around to greasing them) that the UJs are rusted up and now need replacing?

It means the grease inside has gone hard and they will soon be rusted up and need replacing. You could try pocking about and see if you can get the hard grease out. The problem is the best way is to take the uj off, strip it and clean it and if you do all that you may as well fit new ones.

rob1miles said:

It means the grease inside has gone hard and they will soon be rusted up and need replacing. You could try pocking about and see if you can get the hard grease out. The problem is the best way is to take the uj off, strip it and clean it and if you do all that you may as well fit new ones.

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Thanks Rob, I will add it to the seemingly never ending list!

Jacksprat said:

Thanks Rob, I will add it to the seemingly never ending list!

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I would start by engaging the free wheeling hubs and driving around like tat for a while. This will get the prop spinning and in turn should get the UJ's moving. This should heat up and move the old grease around. After a few hundred miles like this, try re-greasing. If they still wont accept any then as said above there is not a lot you can do without stripping it. In which case I would leave well alone until they actually fail and then strip to replace rather than strip to clean. Depending on your milage and usage this could be several years down the line anyway.

dag019 said:

I would start by engaging the free wheeling hubs and driving around like tat for a while. This will get the prop spinning and in turn should get the UJ's moving. This should heat up and move the old grease around. After a few hundred miles like this, try re-greasing. If they still wont accept any then as said above there is not a lot you can do without stripping it. In which case I would leave well alone until they actually fail and then strip to replace rather than strip to clean. Depending on your milage and usage this could be several years down the line anyway.

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Ok thanks I will give this a go first I am going on a c.100 mile motorway journey this weekend so will see if that frees them up

100 miles in a motorway. Take your ear plugs

100 miles on a motorway in a series. Take your ear plugs

100 miles on a motorway in a series. Take your ear plugs

100 miles on a motorway in a series. Take your ear plugs

After a good long run I still couldn't free them up.. given there is no vibration or excessive noise (when freewheeling hubs are set to 4x4) I think I am just going to wait for them to fail and then replace..

Jacksprat said:

After a good long run I still couldn't free them up.. given there is no vibration or excessive noise (when freewheeling hubs are set to 4x4) I think I am just going to wait for them to fail and then replace..

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Probably the best plan. Short of stripping them out, to clean and refill (in which case just replace) you might as well just monitor them regularly and replace them as soon as they show any sign of wear.