Knuckle Lubrication.... Again....

I've decided to try this instead of mixing up a batch of 'knuckle pudding'. It's a lithium thickened EP oil marketed as cotton spindle grease. It's semi-solid at room temperature and pourable at about 130* F and clings very well. I figure it will work better than nothing or a big clump of hardened #2 stuck to the insides of the knuckles.

Tractor Supply sells it locally.

 

Looks like a good bet. I have been using John Deere "cornhead grease" with good results. Your product seems to have the same characteristics.

 

Yea, seems like the same thing as corn head grease which is a popular choice. The JD corn head grease comes in tubes for a grease gun which makes it super easy to use.

 

I've used cornhead grease for years. It seems to leak just a bit from the knuckles. It's rated 0. So this 00 grease/oil is just a bit thinner (considered semi-fluid vs cornhead grease as a "very soft" grease). It would be interesting to see if it leaks out too fast or if its consistency is thick enough. If it doesn't leak, it would be a better lube

 

Lubriplate 105 works perfect off-the-shelf. I've been using it in all my closed knuckles for something close to 50 years. The tubes are very easy to use also.

 

I got a couple tubes of the corn head grease, and it seemed too thick for me. Wound up mixing in some gear oil to thin it out.

 

Yes but how in the heck do you get it through the 1/2" pipe thread hole in the knuckles?

 

The CHG comes in grease gun cartridges. Pretty easy to pump in with a gun.

I agree that CHG is a little too thick. That's the first reason I decided to look for an alternative. The fact that I can only buy it by the case from my local dealer is the other reason.

 

I used the CHG and added a little 140 weight gear lube. Just a couple of shot glasses worth maybe. Not sure if it was a good idea or not. I was just thinking it might help lube things up before the CHG thinned enough to get where it needed to go. I dunno.

 

From the CJ3B page. Interesting reading.

Steering Knuckle Lubrication on CJ3B.info

 

Thanks for the link! Interesting discussion on the revisions to the FSM based on the change in axle joint types. Makes sense that the cardan cross joints need a lighter lube.

 

My 65 CJ5 was seeping on one side. I spoke to one of our most reliable vendors and he suggested STP.
I sucked out the old lube and squirted some in. Seems to be holding. Not looking forward to when I replace the seals though.

 

I too have used Lubriplate 105 in my D27 knuckles years ago, and its still in there 25 years laster. I also "filled" my Ross steering box full of lubriplate when the box started to leak. On both the knuckles and steering box, I drained out the gear oil, and squeezed the lubriplate in to "over full". It has never leaked out.
I also use the lubriplate 105 as engine assembly lube for the mains and rods.
-Donny

 

The Lube discussion and demonstration starts at about 24:00 on the video.

 

See this one for the steering gear lube. The lube discussion and demonstration starts at 12:47 on the video.

 

Does anyone have an idea how many oz. of corn head grease do I need per knuckle? I don't want to under buy but don't want to buy too much either.