Date:         Thu, 18 Nov 2004 22:04:42 -0500
Reply-To:     "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Daniel L. Katz" <katzd54@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      gear oil cv lube

list:

a little gl4 gear oil leaking into inner cv joint from transmission would
have the benefit of keeping the lubrication from drying out - although gl5
would certainly be favored. perhaps the unexpected longevity of otherwise
neglected inner cv joints could be explained by this effect.

it has occured to me that injecting an ounce or two of gl5 into the outer
cv joint might be very effective, especially considering that gravity is
on the side of keeping the oil inside the joint, and making a little
reservoir in the joint/outboard side of boot when the vehicle is at rest.

i have used gl5 in place of grease for front wheel bearings, both disk and
drum (a little reservoir collects at inborad side, obviously, becasue
inner bearing has a greater diameter than outer, but bearings are
coaxial), and both inner and outer cv joints, as temporary measures.
these 'temporary' fixes have actually performed for long periods of time
with excellent results. the flow into the joint/bearing is a sure bet
compared to the guesswork of injecting grease without disassembly, and
that was my main motivation.

very interested in list comments.

dan