Best lube for a steering UJs?
Best lube for a steering UJs?
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Discussion

FreeLitres

Original Poster:

6,128 posts

206 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
Tivvers,

Both my Universal Joints on my Chim steering system are gummed up with old waxoyl, grease and grit meaning that the steering isn't particularly smooth.

I am planning on cleaning up the joints and re-lubricating.

What is the best stuff for this job? In the last service they used a white substance - any idea what this might be? Lithium grease?

Thanks

nawarne

3,177 posts

289 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
When I had my Chim I lubed with ordinary grease.

However, before I did this, I wire brushed/cleaned the UJ and then disassembeled and slipped a generic steering rack rubber gaitor over the shaft. I then packed the UJ with grease, slid the gaitor over the UJ and zip tied both ends of the gaitor onto the shafts. This way the gaitor protects the UJ for ages and keeps the grease on the UJ.

It certainly cured the steering notchiness that I was experiencing previously. The gaitors can be bought at your local motor factors for £5 or so. Simples!
Nick

jimed

1,508 posts

235 months

Wednesday 12th October 2011
quotequote all
I just give mine a blast with spray grease every few weeks - it only takes a few seconds and seems to work a treat. I did this to the S I had and the UJs on that were the same ones for the 13 years I had it so it worked OK for that.
Jim

FreeLitres

Original Poster:

6,128 posts

206 months

Thursday 13th October 2011
quotequote all
nawarne said:
When I had my Chim I lubed with ordinary grease.

However, before I did this, I wire brushed/cleaned the UJ and then disassembeled and slipped a generic steering rack rubber gaitor over the shaft. I then packed the UJ with grease, slid the gaitor over the UJ and zip tied both ends of the gaitor onto the shafts. This way the gaitor protects the UJ for ages and keeps the grease on the UJ.

It certainly cured the steering notchiness that I was experiencing previously. The gaitors can be bought at your local motor factors for £5 or so. Simples!
Nick
That sounds good. Did you put gaitors on both UJs or only the upper one exposed in the wheel arch?

Also, wouldn't the grease perish the rubber gaitor?

nawarne

3,177 posts

289 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
^^^ Hi, I guess the grease might have a small detrimental effect on the gaitor.
However, they are rack gaitors and are expected to be exposed to grease etc.

Bottom ine - for £5 you're saving a load of future hassle, even if you have to replace in 3/4 years.
In any event, I'm not sying to fill the void with grease, just to well cover the UJ.
Nick