Date:         Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:33:02 -0500
Reply-To:     Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: regrease steering U-joint?
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
In-Reply-To:  <00ff01c8411c$fee13180$6401a8c0@TOSHIBALAP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

What's on there now is very thick, like wheel bearing grease.  On an
exposed joint like that it has, as you can imagine, accumulated a
heavy amount of dust and dirt.

Is that the correct grease for this?  The spray stuff you are
describing would be a lot thinner.

Allan

On Dec 17, 2007, at 9:23 PM, Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:

> I don't think there are any grease fittings.
> I use 'Prolong' brand, spray synthetic penetrating grease. It goes
> right in
> there.
> It even goes right past the seals on sealed bearings, great stuff !
>
> Motorcycle chain lube is also very very good since it's formulated to
> penetrate into rollers and tiny spots, and then stick.  That works
> extra
> good too.
>
> ( So glad someone is fussing over lubing all the little parts that
> move.
> Right on !
> If you ever sell your vanagon, likely whoever gets it will be
> getting a very
> well cared for van. )
> Actually.............'thank you' for caring for one of the world's
> wonderful
> vanagons.
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Allan Streib
> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 6:04 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: regrease steering U-joint?
>
> I got the old, leaky steering rack out of my '91 GL tonight, the
> worst part was separating the rack from the U-joint.  I used a cold
> chisel as a wedge to spread the clamping part of the joint enough
> that I could pound it off the splined shaft with a hammer.  I decided
> to remove the joint as well, since it was caked in dried out, dirty
> grease.
>
> Can the U-joint be cleaned and re-greased?  I don't see any grease
> fittings on it but have not cleaned it yet so they may be buried.
>
> Allan
>