Drive shaft joint lubrication - what are those Ford Driveshaft Yoke Bolts

[TeJay]

Sorry I did not understand about putting a grease fitting on the slip joint. In all my years of servicing vehicles I've never had much if any issue with the slip joint. Then I bought an F-150 2010. I started hearing a clunking noise took it to the dealer and they immediately showed me some special lube for the slip joint. That fixed it.

The slip joint gets very little wear. It just slips in and out as the differential moves up and down and the joint slips in and out of the transmission. If you put a grease fitting in there the grease would not spread all around the joint. You'd have to cram it full and hope that it would spread all around. If it were me I'd take it apart as you suggested then use some good synthetic lube maybe you can buy the stuff Ford used to fix mine.

TeJay

[cbilodeau]

Originally Posted by TeJay

Sorry I did not understand about putting a grease fitting on the slip joint. In all my years of servicing vehicles I've never had much if any issue with the slip joint. Then I bought an F-150 2010. I started hearing a clunking noise took it to the dealer and they immediately showed me some special lube for the slip joint. That fixed it.

The slip joint gets very little wear. It just slips in and out as the differential moves up and down and the joint slips in and out of the transmission. If you put a grease fitting in there the grease would not spread all around the joint. You'd have to cram it full and hope that it would spread all around. If it were me I'd take it apart as you suggested then use some good synthetic lube maybe you can buy the stuff Ford used to fix mine.

TeJay

Ok so I will remove it to put grease (this is the procedure). Having a missing clamp it could be dirty in there.

If your 2010 had this problem after just a few years, what interval would you suggest to have it greased again? Would you buy 4 new bolts?

[TeJay]

No I would not buy 4 new bolts. Those bolts can be reused. Use the correct torque and some but lock tight on them. I f you use a good synthetic lube I'd wait to have some issues with it or maybe every 6-8 years. Like I said earlier it was not a normal service procedure unless changing U-joints or the center support bearing.

TeJay

[cbilodeau]

Originally Posted by TeJay

No I would not buy 4 new bolts. Those bolts can be reused. Use the correct torque and some but lock tight on them. I f you use a good synthetic lube I'd wait to have some issues with it or maybe every 6-8 years. Like I said earlier it was not a normal service procedure unless changing U-joints or the center support bearing.

TeJay

Many thanks TeJay and everybody. Now I know where I am going with this.

[xflyer]

If your u-joint does not have zerk fittings there is still a way to grease the u-joint. You can acquire a needle point grease fitting at any major auto parts supplier. The fitting is similar to a hypodermic needle that attaches to your grease gun. Push the needle through the rubber boot and inject the grease. I'm sure it's not as effective as a regular zerk fitting that is under pressure but it's usage could prolong a u-joint change. Guess it would also work on the sliding joint.

[cbilodeau]

Originally Posted by xflyer

If your u-joint does not have zerk fittings there is still a way to grease the u-joint. You can acquire a needle point grease fitting at any major auto parts supplier. The fitting is similar to a hypodermic needle that attaches to your grease gun. Push the needle through the rubber boot and inject the grease. I'm sure it's not as effective as a regular zerk fitting that is under pressure but it's usage could prolong a u-joint change. Guess it would also work on the sliding joint.

Thanks for the information. I suppose it could also be useful on heating blower fan on RV.

[cbilodeau]

Originally Posted by cbilodeau

Thank you for the information. I will buy it on eBay.

I have found this one:



The price is about 5.76$Can (here is the link). For a complete set, 14$Can see this link.

I received the socket today from eBay. 12mm is too big. I see on the web they say it is 8mm.

[Petersr58]

From the Ford 2014 Maintenance Manual about
U-joints consist of the following features:
•A lubed-for-life design
•Cross spider that continually speeds up and slows down when rotating through an angular plane
•Needle bearings that allow the smooth motion of the spider during rotation
•Bearing cup at each spider end to retain the lubricant and needle bearings
•Equipped with nylon thrust washers located at the base of each bearing cup, which control end play, position the needle bearings and improve grease movement

[cbilodeau]

Originally Posted by Petersr58

From the Ford 2014 Maintenance Manual about
U-joints consist of the following features:
•A lubed-for-life design
•Cross spider that continually speeds up and slows down when rotating through an angular plane
•Needle bearings that allow the smooth motion of the spider during rotation
•Bearing cup at each spider end to retain the lubricant and needle bearings
•Equipped with nylon thrust washers located at the base of each bearing cup, which control end play, position the needle bearings and improve grease movement

In my case it is the Slip Joint I want to lubricate. One of the two retaining clip is missing so it is not sealed like it should be. So it is probably dirty. Also, in the maintenance section for the greasing, they show the Slip Joint and I think they mean we have to lubricate it.

[stink]

Originally Posted by cbilodeau

Thank you for the information. I will buy it on eBay.

I have found this one:



The price is about 5.76$Can (here is the link). For a complete set, 14$Can see this link.

Great looking socket but you would be happier with a 3/8 drive impact wobbly!

[stink]

Originally Posted by cbilodeau

I received the socket today from eBay. 12mm is too big. I see on the web they say it is 8mm.

You might be right on the 8mm size. The pix of the four new bolts are 12mm and the pix of your driveshaft look like maybe 8mm.