How often to Grease?
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 48
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From: Thunder Bay, Ontario
How often to Grease?
Hi all. I would like to change the oil in my 92 clubwagon myself but I am concerned with doing the grease. Since the oil is changed once in the fall and once in the spring, I was wondering if I can get away with bringing her in for an oil change and grease every second time. I don't want to grease her and would like to leave that to the lube shops. I drive about 7 to 8000 miles per year (144,00 miles total on van) with her and mainly change the oil from 10w30 to 5w30 for the cold winters here in Canada. Any comments are greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Owl
Thank you.
Owl
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming County, New York
Greasing
Well, Owl, you don't put on a lot of miles, but the grease does do more than lubricate the joint and this is why I lube every oil change and sometimes in-between if I feel the steering "stiffening up" a bit.
Your lubricating grease forces out dirt and water which will cause more undue wear than simple use, in my opinion. The seals are good and tight for only a while, then they relax and allow water and dirt in. Fresh grease forces all that out and a good grease will form a barrier for a while. At a regular lubrication interval I have seen a stream of water come out ahead of the fresh grease, maybe as much as a teaspoonful.
Also, with extended lube intervals, I have found that "cheap" grease will cake up in the zerk (grease fitting) and sometimes make it impossible to re-lube. I use a very high quality ($4.50 a tube, bought by the case) grease and I replace very few ball joints and tie-rod ends. Actually, I can remember replacing only one that wasn't an original "permanently lubricated" OEM part.
I also use a very high quality engine oil and change between 4,500 and 5,500 miles, explaining the mid-change lube. But, I drive a lot of two lane roads in farm country (lots of mud and grime, especially spring and fall) and the winter driving in Western New York State involves plenty of salt and in some places, sand and salt mix. Water, salt, and dirt...tie-rods and ball joints hate that!
Dave
Your lubricating grease forces out dirt and water which will cause more undue wear than simple use, in my opinion. The seals are good and tight for only a while, then they relax and allow water and dirt in. Fresh grease forces all that out and a good grease will form a barrier for a while. At a regular lubrication interval I have seen a stream of water come out ahead of the fresh grease, maybe as much as a teaspoonful.
Also, with extended lube intervals, I have found that "cheap" grease will cake up in the zerk (grease fitting) and sometimes make it impossible to re-lube. I use a very high quality ($4.50 a tube, bought by the case) grease and I replace very few ball joints and tie-rod ends. Actually, I can remember replacing only one that wasn't an original "permanently lubricated" OEM part.
I also use a very high quality engine oil and change between 4,500 and 5,500 miles, explaining the mid-change lube. But, I drive a lot of two lane roads in farm country (lots of mud and grime, especially spring and fall) and the winter driving in Western New York State involves plenty of salt and in some places, sand and salt mix. Water, salt, and dirt...tie-rods and ball joints hate that!
Dave
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