GREASING OF TRACTOR JOINTS.
HI ALL, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ON THE FRONT TRACTOR JOINTS OR ROTATING SPHERES (CORRECT TECHNICAL NAME UNKNOWN) ON THE FRONT WHEELS TO THE REAR IS A BOLT THAT CAN BE UNDONE AND THE VOID GREASED AND SHOULD BE AT REGULAR INTERVALS IE WHEN SHAFTS ARE GREASED. CAN ANY ONE CONFIRM THIS OR WOULD THIS ALLOW GREASE TO MIX AND CONTAMINATE THE FRONT DIFF OIL. I BELIEVE THAT THIS GREASING WOULD BE DONE TO LUBRICATE THE SPHERES. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IF MERC WANTED IT GREASED THEN A NIPPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED OR HAVE I JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION MYSELF.
THANKS IN ADVANCE LYNXMAN.
As long as the parts are OK, there should be no contamination between diff oil and hub grease. Yes, you are correct: remove the wheel and the nut you mention. Centrifugal force must have thrown the grease to the sides of the hub (including where the nut is attached) so as soon as you remove it you should see the grease.
If you don't stick a finger inside the hub (my apologies for even suggesting this :lol: ) and inspect the grease. It should be dry, free of oil contamination and of a light tan colour. If everything's OK use your grease gun and fill it up to half hub.
The reason for the grease to be light tan is because there is also black grease inside the CV joint of the axle, protected by a rubber gaiter. Contamination of the clear hub grease by black grease would indicate that the gaiter is damaged. Contamination by differential oil would indicate that the seal that keeps it away is broken.
Hi some G's have a bolt head on the bung others an allan key type recess bung both are located at the rear of each swivel facing backwards in the centre of the housing.invariably very difficult to get undone on a right hand / clockwise tightening thread......leaking swivel wiper seals will allow heavy deposits of grease/oil to exude around the lower housing.clean the area and swivel surfaces ( some are steel.. others hard chromed) apply liberal coating of petroleum jelly / vaseline and move steering lock to lock a dozen times or more with engine running and wheels off the ground....before packing with new grease....monitor for traces of diff oil on the swivels as per Morts thread.......
Hi Lynxman,
Just to add to the above two threads, the bolts in the swivel are both normal right hand threads; clockwise to tighten; ant-clockwise to un-do.
The service intervals for greasing the swivels is every two years, if you do not know the history of greasing well enough, then it is prudent to check and re-pack with grease.
Whilst you have your finger in the swivel checking for grease as it has been suggested above, take care on one will turn the steering or wheel on you!!!! You may not have a finger left.....
Tighten torque for the grease bungs is 100 Nm.
Regards,
Finger in the hole. The CV joint passes close by the hole thus the danger with damaging the finger. But also you may need to rotate the wheel slightly to get the nozzle of your greas gun in and also to spread the grease around to ensure you get enough in
Hi Rakesh,
Is there a specific type of grease for this or is general everyday grease okay?
Regards
Colin
Hello Colin,
Everyday grease is fine for the task as the grease has no load bearing work to do; the grease is simply coating the swivels' as the wheel turns lock to lock.
Hi Rakesh
Thanks very much for the info.
Kind regards
Colin
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hi, thanks for the swift response and you are correct on my g they are allen headed bolts. looks like i have a job for the weekend. many thanks Lynxman.