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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
Grease for propshaft UJs (original)
I have a grease gun loaded with a light lubricant for my pillar drill, recently I ground the tip to fit the grease nipple on the prop shafts. What came out of the joints was a very dark grease, somewhat like the one shot hub grease and a lot heavier than what I was pumping in.

I can find no mention in any of the tech documentation regarding the suitability of grease for the props- while I’d like to keep them lubricated I’m only too aware using the wrong lube could result in a shorter service life. It seems there are many opinions on what is best to use- does anyone know any information about the original fill grease spec for the prop UJs?

I also have some slightly thicker marine stern tube grease which I could use, either way I’ll need a new gun because changing the grease over is too messy and time consuming!! 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #673000 24th Dec 2017 9:39am
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1762

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
I just use normal lithium grease in mine, same as I'd use in the wheel bearings.

The grease you pumped out was just old and knackered
Post #673002 24th Dec 2017 9:49am
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geobloke



Member Since: 06 Nov 2012
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 4410

United Kingdom 
Hello UT. You are right it is a heavy dark grease. I use a lithium based Morris K48 Moly grease for my UJs and wheel bearings. Works a treat. Thumbs Up
Post #673003 24th Dec 2017 9:50am
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
That K48 moly grease looks like the stuff to use, I'll get some on order! 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #673009 24th Dec 2017 10:05am
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2407

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
UJ uses lithium based grease. Sliding joints use Moly grease. Both NGLI2. Puma 110" SW

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Earth first. Other planets later
Post #673030 24th Dec 2017 10:54am
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nitram17



Member Since: 08 Jun 2014
Location: newcastle
Posts: 2261

miker wrote:
I just use normal lithium grease in mine, same as I'd use in the wheel bearings.

The grease you pumped out was just old and knackered


How often do you grease uour props and wheelbearings?and do you need a special grease nipple?s i havent parden the language greased a nipple for many years can anyone reccommend a decent all round grease gun?



Click image to enlarge


Just a photo for festive cheer and to remind me of youthfil times before sealed bearings and when i was a dab hand with a grease gun..that was so last century! Laughing Youf is wasted on the young Big Cry
Post #673031 24th Dec 2017 10:57am
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Devon-Rover



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: South Devon
Posts: 913

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Aintree Green

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I do the props every 4 or so months depending on conditions. If I have been doing offroad work then after cleaning I'll do them to put fresh grease in to keep things happy. It's easier than having to do a UJ swap.

I have a swiss Wanner grease gun and it works well using comma high performance bearing grease.
Post #673033 24th Dec 2017 11:05am
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
MK wrote:
UJ uses lithium based grease. Sliding joints use Moly grease. Both NGLI2.


The K48 moly from Morris is lithium based? NGLI2 refers to the 'consistency' only doesn't it? 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #673035 24th Dec 2017 11:09am
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MK



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Santiago
Posts: 2407

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Chawton White
NGLI refers to consistency. I do not use moly on UJs or bearings. Some people do. Puma 110" SW

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Earth first. Other planets later
Post #673044 24th Dec 2017 11:17am
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UtilityTruck



Member Since: 09 Jan 2014
Location: Oxford
Posts: 463

United Kingdom 
So what's wrong with moly grease? The page for the Morris lubricant makes it sound suitable, data sheet here- https://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/fileupl...559330.pdf

So any idea what is put in the joints at the factory? 2014 Keswick Utility 2.2
Post #673047 24th Dec 2017 11:50am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17320

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
As noted above, lithium based is best for rolling surfaces (UJs and bearings) and molybdenum based grease best for sliding surfaces (splines etc). That being said in normal applications (propshafts etc) either will be quite suitable, but I would not use moly for wheel bearings.

You don't need a special connector to grease the propshafts if you jack up one wheel so you can spin the prop, however the only correct way to grease the UJs thoroughly, which is seldom done now, is to unbolt one or both flanges so that you can fully articulate the joint.
Post #673054 24th Dec 2017 12:10pm
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williamthedog



Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 PU Tamar Blue
I've used jcb blue grease on propshafts for years with no issues Thumbs Up
Post #673168 24th Dec 2017 8:25pm
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