Section : Rear Axle

Rear axle, brakes, wheels and tyres.

Grease nipple in UJ...

Posted By : Alan Madin, 05-Mar-2007, 09:02am

This isn't a request for an answer to a problem for once! - more a 'novice's' query.
Have removed knackered half shaft and hub assembly of my Spit to find that what looks like a new greasable UJ had been fitted recently by P.O. However it was running in the car with its grease nipple in place. According to my books this is a no-no.
So my query is what would it do - obvious answer is stop the shaft/yoke turning properly - and could that have lead to my drive-shaft/hub failing?
AL M

Followups :

Grease nipple in UJ...

Posted By : Stephen Pratt, 05-Mar-2007, 11:18am

As far as the grease nipple is concerned, it depends on the length of the nipple as to whether it fouls the joint, I've just fitted two new UJ's to my driveshafts (see pic)and the UJ came with nipples already in place, but they are very short and do not come anywhere near fouling the yoke. Mind you, they are useless for greasing the joint as there isn't enough clearance for the grease gun!

Grease nipple in UJ...
- Grease nipple in UJ...
  
  Posted By : Stephen Weblin, 05-Mar-2007, 12:52pm
  
  I remembered something similar to this coming up before: http://www.tssc2.org.uk/messageboard.asp?board=too... Hope that helps.
Grease nipple in UJ...

Posted By : Chris Taylor, 05-Mar-2007, 06:41pm

There is a risk that the nipple will foul the joint if left in situ in a driveshaft. Should be OK in a propshaft as that does not flex as far. While JUST possible it would do the yolks no good if it did foul, it is FAR more likely that the nipple itself will get chewed up, making it difficult to inject grease and possibly difficult to unscrew and replace with the correct blanking plug.