U-Joint Grease
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
U-Joint Grease
What kind of grease do you guys use on your U-Joints? I have been using the Motorcraft black chassis lube on mine... and now someone said to never do that. Do I need to use another type? I grease everything under my truck about every 500 miles.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Any standard chassis grease or lithium based should be ok for u-joints. Especially on your schedule. May me more often than needed, but you will never have a stuck zerk at 500 mile intervals! Only problems you may have is too much grease. I don't like to pump too much in - it makes a mess and lots of dirt sticks to parts.
I use Mystik JT6 synthetic grease, but only so I can use one grease for the truck, tractor, and trailer bearings. I would use standard JT6 if it were only my truck. I grease the u-joints about every oil change. I think they could go longer, but I feel better getting a couple pumps in more often.
I think it is good to stay with the same grease rather than switching around in case one is not compatible, although I have switched and never had problems.
I use Mystik JT6 synthetic grease, but only so I can use one grease for the truck, tractor, and trailer bearings. I would use standard JT6 if it were only my truck. I grease the u-joints about every oil change. I think they could go longer, but I feel better getting a couple pumps in more often.
I think it is good to stay with the same grease rather than switching around in case one is not compatible, although I have switched and never had problems.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
I mainly do it every 500 miles because I always get mud up under my truck from going out in the mud. I can't resist, lol. So, I go to a car wash and spray out the underside really good, then the next day before I drive, I usually grease everything.
I think this is the product I got: AutoZone.com | Lubricant/Grease | 14.1oz.(399.728g.)Ford,LincolnandMercuryVehiclesMu lti-PurposeGreaseTube
Valvoline Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Multi-Purpose Grease. I bought it around a year ago, so I can't remember. It was either this kind, or the specific chassis lube. I'm thinking it was this, now that I look at it. It says it's ok for UV joints. Thanks for the answers.
I think this is the product I got: AutoZone.com | Lubricant/Grease | 14.1oz.(399.728g.)Ford,LincolnandMercuryVehiclesMu lti-PurposeGreaseTube
Valvoline Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Multi-Purpose Grease. I bought it around a year ago, so I can't remember. It was either this kind, or the specific chassis lube. I'm thinking it was this, now that I look at it. It says it's ok for UV joints. Thanks for the answers.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Livonia, Michigan
The best grease for u-joints is Kluberplex BEM 34-132. It's a NLGI 1.5 calcium complex grease designed for micromotion applications, which is what the needle rollers in the u-joint do. It has excellent water washout resistance and is rated to run for 2000 hours at elevated temperatures. In the real world that would be around 100,000 miles.
Because it's a calcium complex, a complete changeout of the grease would be necessary to remove any lithium-based grease previously used.
Because it's a calcium complex, a complete changeout of the grease would be necessary to remove any lithium-based grease previously used.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
It erodes needle bearings, like used in u-joints. At least one lube company has a formula that it claims is dual purpose moly but I won't use it. Moly is a dark hard gray powder that does not work well in fast moving, tight clearance applications. It needs room to move.
Automotive manufacturers recommend lithium for u-joints for this reason. I found out the hard way. I was a doing lots of off roading and greasing my u joints every week with moly. The needle bearings were failing every few months. I complained to the parts store that the u-joints they were selling me were wearing out to often. A wise parts guy(few and far between) looked at my u-joints and could tell I was using moly. Told me to change to lithium. Ended my problem, never replaced another.
Automotive manufacturers recommend lithium for u-joints for this reason. I found out the hard way. I was a doing lots of off roading and greasing my u joints every week with moly. The needle bearings were failing every few months. I complained to the parts store that the u-joints they were selling me were wearing out to often. A wise parts guy(few and far between) looked at my u-joints and could tell I was using moly. Told me to change to lithium. Ended my problem, never replaced another.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,168
Likes: 10
From: San Ramon Ca.
As far as the Valvoline it is lithium based with some moly in there for good measure. The Motorcraft is just an all purpose moly. All around stuff. But I would use neither on bearings and u-joints. This stuff is just personal preference. Use what your comfortable with. As far as the Ford spec well................
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
There is some confusion here. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is an additive. Lithium, or calicum or clay, is the thickener for the base oil that turns it into grease. The Ford spec is not moly grease, but lithium grease with moly added. Synthetic, semi-synthetic, or not refers to the base oil, just like motor oil.
Jim
Jim
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
Yes thats true sorry i worded that wrong... The grease i use has moly in it... But if this stuff is so bad for needle bearings why would they say that its good to use in u-joints? like to me the guys that make the product do tests and they should know what there product is good for.