front axle shaft and steering knuckle lube

[locomotive2101]

I know this subject has been discussed in depth but I still have questions from a lot of research. I know the front axle joints have been changed a lot from different manufacturers and different lube requirements based on year of manufacture of the vehicle. I wondered if anyone has real engineering data that describes why the different lube choices like the mb/gpw using chassis grease to most civilian using type O grease and later spicer joints specing 75w gear oil. Also and lastly, has any one ever thought of drilling and installing external grease fittings on the steering knuckle joints which are supposed to be lubed by the grease in the joint itself. I have building jeeps since the 1970s and I am still confused by what is really right and why. Thank you all for any real insight. P.S. I have been buying type O grease from Mowmore in 4.25 ounce pouches which are very nice to use and cheap. Thank you again and sty safe

[derekredmond]

It may not be as technical as you are looking for, but if you haven't seen it, I would recommend the article at https://CJ3B.info/Tech/SteeringKnuckles.html -- it does have some discussion of why the requirements of the various knuckles are different.

[binthere]

The reason that I use 140 gear oil is---If you fill the knuckle with grease, the joint will spin a hollow globe in the grease and not do it's job anymore. The other reason is that neither the top or bottom tapered axle bearing get any grease into the tapered bearing. And because they only rotate a small part of a circle they do not get grease all around. With 140 oil, when the hubs are in or the transfer case is shifted to 4-wheel even without the hubs in, the knuckle will splash the oil up into the upper axle bearing and the axle joint and lubricate everything.

[locomotive2111]

I am still doing research on the front axle closed knuckle lube.  As a rebuild mechanic in the Army I repaired hundreds of these on 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks. Replacing the boots was a never ending job plus greasing the joints was no picnic. I just found a place that sells a grease for this very purpose. It is called Torque King 4x4 and the grease they sell comes in a caulking tube and costs $8.00 for a 16 ounce tube.  I did email Dana and asked them for any engineering data that was used in this design. On 2 1/2 and 5 ton trucks the king pins are lubed with a zerk fitting so that part of the joint is not concerned with splash lubrication from the joint.

[Marla.the.V35]

Picking up an old thread here....

Apologies if I'm missing something, for I am a newb. That said, I read up quite a bit on what lubricants are needed in the knuckles, and in almost every thread, 140wt oil and NLGI Grease No. 0 and No. 1 are regarded as "impossible to come by". Granted, these are old threads, so it's possible that since then, things are easier to find? I've found both the 140wt I (at my local NAPA) and the NLGI no. 1 on Amazon (Valvoline Cobalt #1 Heavy Duty (HD) Grease 14.1 OZ Cartridge). They also make the NLGI No. 0, but since it was summer time here, I opted for something a little thicker.
EDIT: Looks like they don't make a No. 0. Appears I was incorrect in my recollection!

Am I missing something here. Do I have the wrong stuff? Is this stuff just easier to find now?

[Chuck W.]

I have had good luck using corn head grease, and lately, Super S Cotton Spindle Grease from Tractor Supply. $5.49 for a quart bottle.

"Super S SUS.CPGRS.1232.097 Cotton Picker Spindle Grease 00 is a smooth textured, corrosion preventive grease lubricant manufactured with a special low viscosity, low pour point base oil with a lithium thickener, as well as rust and oxidation inhibitors. The machine grease lubricant is recommended for industrial and agricultural applications calling for a low consistency product with low operating temperature properties. Super S NLGI 00 Grease meets or exceeds the John Deere JDN-360 and JDN-380 specific cautions for cotton picker spindle lubricants. It is widely used in gearboxes on bush hog type cutters and some gear cases on riding lawn mowers."