Thread: Fitting upgraded Axles, CVs and converting to oil lubed hubs

How many versions of swivel housings were used ? mine have 3 plugs top filler
a middle level? and a bottom drain I filled by the top plug to overflow left it overnight undid the level plug and let the excess out. If that did not lubricate
everything nothing will
The PO solved the problem Sealed for life hubs .Welded the axles to the flanges OK for the rears but made bearing adjustment difficult on the fronts

AM

Meeeooowwww! It's just a suggestion Bush65! That's what forums are all about are they not?? The tonnage needed to break a stub axle in half would be huge.. In the 20's IMO, not the 3 tonnes of an overloaded Land Rover... I think the thin section with thread and locking nut would give away first. Either way, I know there is oil and plenty of it floating around the inner bearings on my axle.

Originally Posted by Ancient Mariner

How many versions of swivel housings were used ?

They removed the level and drain plugs after the introduction of grease for the swivel. Just another stupid thing that makes no sense.

Originally Posted by Red90

They removed the level and drain plugs after the introduction of grease for the swivel. Just another stupid thing that makes no sense.

It was some-time after. I have 97 disco axles which came with the greased swivels but still have drain plugs.

Originally Posted by Dougal

It was some-time after. I have 97 disco axles which came with the greased swivels but still have drain plugs.

My late '98 swivels only have the fill plug, you need to undo a lower swivel bearing retainer bolt to drain the bloody thing and use a piece of silver solder to act as a dip stick.

Originally Posted by Bush65

Grease lubrication avoids those leaks, but is an inferior method of lubrication for cv's,...

I agree oil is far better for roller bearings and splines, it's been proven time and again in the trucking industry that hub bearings that are oil lubed run cooler and last longer (as do their seals) than a comparable greased hub bearing, and the spline issue is a no-brainer.

I actually think a dedicated CV grease is superior to any heavy oil for ultimate CV protection/wear, it will have a much higher load rating due to the lubricating solids added.
The Land Rover 'One Shot' stuff is very average though, it's just a basic mineral oil with a Li complex thickener and 3% MoS2.
The reason Land Rover use an NLGI 00 grease is that it's pretty much a liquid at room temp so splashes around nicely in the housing, keeping the swivels lubed yet doesn't leak past the seals quite as readily as an SAE 90 oil.

I'm splitting hairs though, and I run oil (well, a mix, I keep the compartment separate and add 'stuff' to the oil and no it's not crap like Moreys or Lucas or STP 'thickeners')

Banana skins?

Originally Posted by rick130

I agree oil is far better for roller bearings and splines, it's been proven time and again in the trucking industry that hub bearings that are oil lubed run cooler and last longer (as do their seals) than a comparable greased hub bearing, and the spline issue is a no-brainer.

I actually think a dedicated CV grease is superior to any heavy oil for ultimate CV protection/wear, it will have a much higher load rating due to the lubricating solids added.
The Land Rover 'One Shot' stuff is very average though, it's just a basic mineral oil with a Li complex thickener and 3% MoS2.
The reason Land Rover use an NLGI 00 grease is that it's pretty much a liquid at room temp so splashes around nicely in the housing, keeping the swivels lubed yet doesn't leak past the seals quite as readily as an SAE 90 oil.

I'm splitting hairs though, and I run oil (well, a mix, I keep the compartment separate and add 'stuff' to the oil and no it's not crap like Moreys or Lucas or STP 'thickeners')

Rick,

What grease would you recommend as a better dedicated CV grease?

It's been a while since I've worked on the front CV's, but my cars have all been 300Tdi and newer and I've always used the 'one shot' stuff. Always keen to look at better options as regardless of the price of more expensive grease, it will never get close to the price and effort of replacing worn parts...

Cheers,

Lou