S1 drive hub lubrication?

**gromit** · 5th August 2013, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Brad110

I have a "55 with UJ and will use the grease to supplement the oil.

Several discussions on AULRO regarding semi-fluid grease vs. oil.
The general feeling is that the semi-fluid grease may not get thrown up to lubricate the top swivel bearing (Railco or cone bearing depending on age). OK after Series III where the top bearing is a taper roller.
The needle rollers in a UJ can survive with minimal lubrication.

The semi-fluid grease is usually installed because it's easier than fixing the leak. Replace the seal and as long as your balls are smooth rather than pitted you shouldn't have a problem using the correct oil.
The semi-fluid grease was often installed by LR Dealers but probably Defender onwards (mine has LR stickers informing that semi-fluid grease has been installed).

Regarding PTFE additives (Nulon G70 etc.). I've never tried this, early on there were lots of issues, from memory the PTFE clumped together and stayed in the filter (when used in an engine). I believe the latest versions have much smaller PTFE particles and the problem has been solved.
For infrequent use vehicles something that sticks and 'bonds' to the surface seems like a good idea.
Years ago I got a Triumph 350 motorbike, drove it home and at the weekend changed all the oils. All I drained from the gearbox was about a pint of water !! Pulled the cover and everything was rust free because someone had used MolySlip in the past and every gear etc. was coated.
Kept it for years and never had any gearbox problems.

Adding EP140 ? It would probably quieten things down but there must be a slight power loss because the 140 would be harder to displace.

Each to their own.

Colin

**dreamin'** · 5th August 2013, 10:56 PM

On the recommendation of a seasoned land rover man, I bought a 5l bucket of EP00 grease for swivel housings. I understand this is equivalent to the one-shot grease, but far cheaper way to buy in volume.

It's weird stuff. Warmed up a bit it pours like liquid. When cool it gels like custard. But it also 'creeps' and coats surfaces it contacts.

On this basis, I think it would 'splash' around in the housing when it gets warm driving, coating moving parts with lubricant, but less likely to leak out when cooled than oil.

The only thing I question is how well it 'washes' grit and particles from wearing parts, which a lower viscosity oil might do better.

Roger

**JDNSW** · 6th August 2013, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by gromit

.... OK after Series III where the top bearing is a taper roller.
....

Colin

Just a correction - railko bushes continued to be used at least into the late 90s on Defender, and i suspect on D1 without ABS.

John

**gromit** · 6th August 2013, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by dreamin'

On the recommendation of a seasoned land rover man, I bought a 5l bucket of EP00 grease for swivel housings. I understand this is equivalent to the one-shot grease, but far cheaper way to buy in volume.

It's weird stuff. Warmed up a bit it pours like liquid. When cool it gels like custard. But it also 'creeps' and coats surfaces it contacts.

On this basis, I think it would 'splash' around in the housing when it gets warm driving, coating moving parts with lubricant, but less likely to leak out when cooled than oil.

The only thing I question is how well it 'washes' grit and particles from wearing parts, which a lower viscosity oil might do better.

Roger

I think it would take quite a few Km's to get warm enough in the swivel hubs to turn it back into a liquid that can be thrown around. OK for a well used Land Rover but not if you're only traveling short distances.

I still think it's best to just replace the swivel seal & use the correct oil.

Colin

**gromit** · 6th August 2013, 05:08 PM

Found this interesting comment in the link below.

"The completion of the job has allowed me to return to EP 90 in the swivels, as opposed to the One-shot I had been using for some time. The One-shot does a good job, but has one flaw in that it doesn’t drain out from the swivel drain plugs, so can’t be removed if contaminated with water. The irony is that people generally only use One-shot if their swivel seals are leaking, and that means that water ingress is more likely."

http://www.nickslandrover.co.uk/front-swivel-replacement/

Colin

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