Lubrication for the U-joints on a 2003 F-150
I'm changing universal joints on my 2003 F-150's driveshaft. Is there a specific kind of grease for lubrication?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Yes. But, if you are buying new U-joints, they come pre-lubricated these days. If they don’t, when you buy the joints for Ford, it’ll tell you which lubricant to use. If you are buying at an auto parts store, they can look it up and sell you the correct lubrication that goes on a grease gun to grease it up.
Most come pre-greased these days. If they don’t, ask them and they’ll sell you the right grease for it because there are different greases out there. A lot of companies use completely different greases that are incompatible. So, make sure you get the right one when you do change it. But when you buy the U-joints, you’ll see that they are already lubed, so you don’t have to worry about it. Some of them have grease fittings and then you are going to have to buy some grease for the right ones. If they don’t have grease fittings, then they will already come pre-lubed. If you need help, a certified mechanic can provide you the correct grease and lubricate your U-joints for you.
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Choosing the right u-joint grease
Both types of bearings in a u-joint – spline and yoke bearings – can use a NLGI 1 or 2 grade grease. Whichever grease is used, it should also have similar characteristics to a gear or grid coupling grease.
After installation into a driveshaft, and prior to being placed into service, you must (with the exception of Service-Free U-joints) lubricate each U-joint kit in accordance with the following recommendations: Apply grease gun pressure to each U-joint until fresh grease appears at each bearing seal.
What type of grease should I use to lubricate my universal joints equipped with grease fittings? A good quality lithium complex soap based EP (Extreme Pressure) grease with a NGLI grade of 1 to 2 is recommended.
Mobil Delvac Xtreme Grease is recommended for use in heavy-duty trucks, especially hinge and bucket pins, U-joints, and fifth wheels.
Some have even tried spraying sore joints with WD-40 as they would to fix a squeaky, door hinge. But this folk remedy is not proven to work and may even be harmful. WD-40 contains petroleum distillates than can cause drying and irritation of the skin.
U-joints and ball joints in your truck require greasing on a regular basis. They need greasing because the metal components can grind against each other if not properly lubricated, causing friction and unnecessary wear.
Chevron Moly Greases EP are recommended for use in automotive and industrial equipment where a moly type grease is recommended. Typical applications in automotive equipment are: chassis, bearings, universal joints, fifth wheels, and ball joints.
New U-Joints Should Feel Pretty Stiff When Moved By Hand
U-joints are precision bearings. That means they should move freely in both axis. Yet, it`s normal for a new u-joint to feel pretty firm when you move it by hand, even when it is thoroughly greased.
Sealed bearings, however, do not need lubrication. This, in turn, eliminates the process of lubrication, and thus results in saving time on labor. This is especially ideal when the bearings are located in hard-to-reach areas of a gearbox or machine.
NLGI Grade 2 is the most common grease used.
Recently the petrochemical industry has moved to molybdenum disulfide, which is also called “moly” lube. Currently this is the best type of lube for assembling bolted joints, because it does not cause hydrogen embrittlement if mixed with the correct chemicals.
Spicer® parts from Dana are trusted around the world for their high performance and outstanding durability, and now Spicer brings you their toughest u-joint yet: the Spicer® Extreme™ u-joint. These u-joints can take any off-roading punishment you can dish out – they`re virtually indestructible!
Temperature increase is constant regardless of oil volume. Grease lubrication is the most common, as it simplifies the main spindle structure more than other lubricating systems.
Your joints` lubricating fluid allows your joints to move with more ease and less stress. To activate those juices, start your exercise routine with a gentle 5-10-minute warm-up and gradually increase your effort. Another good way to self-lube is drinking more water. Stretch regularly.
Vaseline
A staple in many bathroom drawers and medicine cabinets, Vaseline is more commonly used to combat dry skin. But the same greasy, gloopy texture that helps it moisturize can also help it act as a last-minute replacement to WD-40.
A bad u-joint can cause a clunking sound or jerkiness while driving, particularly when letting off of and pressing the accelerator. A bad u-joint can also cause vibration at certain speeds, emanating from the center or rear of the vehicle.
Discontinue greasing when you feel abnormal back pressure.
Overfilling the driveshaft with grease may cause the welch plug to pop out during use.
Summary. Both Moly and Graphite are excellent dry lubricants with very similar properties in many areas. Graphite tends to be a better choice for extremely high-temperature applications. MoS2 offers improved corrosion resistance for stainless steel in those areas where that is a concern.
Joint pain and stiffness seem to go hand in hand with aging, not just old age. Starting around age 30, you begin to lose bone density and muscle mass, both of which can create strain and pain in your joints.
Although there may not be a cure for the pain, it can be managed to bring the patient relief. Sometimes the pain may go away by taking over-the-counter medication, or by performing simple daily exercises. Other times, the pain may be signaling problems that can only be corrected with prescription medication or surgery.
That means that you should get it checked out right away to prevent any further damage from being done. Driving with a failing u-joint will cause more strain on other components in the drivetrain system. This can lead to other problems such as: Severe drivetrain vibrations at certain speeds.
The three most common causes of failure are: Misalignment of the drive shaft. An out of balance load. Over-stress.
A lubricating grease such as white lithium grease works by lowering the coefficient of friction at the interface between 2 or more parts. It is often used as a gear grease and to protect bearings.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Lubrication for the U-joints on a 2003 F-150
ANSWER : Yes. But, if you are buying new U-joints, they come pre-lubricated these days. If they don’t, when you buy the joints for Ford, it’ll tell you which lubricant to use. If you are buying at an auto parts store, they can look it up and sell you the correct lubrication that goes on a grease gun to grease it up.
Most come pre-greased these days. If they don’t, ask them and they’ll sell you the right grease for it because there are different greases out there. A lot of companies use completely different greases that are incompatible. So, make sure you get the right one when you do change it. But when you buy the U-joints, you’ll see that they are already lubed, so you don’t have to worry about it. Some of them have grease fittings and then you are going to have to buy some grease for the right ones. If they don’t have grease fittings, then they will already come pre-lubed. If you need help, a certified mechanic can provide you the correct grease and lubricate your U-joints for you.
Read Full Q/A … : Lubrication for the U-joints on a 2003 F-150
2003 lincoln navigator motor 5.4 does fit in a 2003 ford expedition 4.6?
ANSWER : The hardware and software of the computer (powertrain control module) and transmission control module (TCM) in the Expedition will only work with your present 4.6 L engine. If you change the stock engine to one that is not a catalog interchange for the car (the Lincoln 5.4 L engine does not interchange and is not even the same engine as the optional 5.4 L that was offered as an option on the Expedition) you will have to carry over the "new" engine’s computer, TCM and complete vehicle wiring harness in order to get the new engine to even start, let alone run. Adding to the complexity, if you install a larger engine, that typically increases the weight in the front of the vehicle which means that you will have to re-design the suspension of the vehicle. Unfortunately, with modern cars, there is no practical possibility for using non interchange engines unless your intent is to completely re-design the vehicle. If your engine has failed, and thus you simply need a replacement used engine, please note that you will easily find many direct drop in interchanges using on-line used parts databases such as Car-Part.com. Finally, if you are interested in an engine replacement (OEM to OEM), YourMechanic professionals in certain locales can assist with that. Please simply inquire based on your locale. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.
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