Lube questions

[TomC750]

Doing a complete lube on my 41 Merc using the lube chart in the owners manual. It specifies "cylinder oil soap grease" for the U joint. First of all, what is the lube, and how in the world could one access to the joint be obtained?

Next, a Ford grease is specified for the springs. There is a long nut on the center bolt that appears to have 1/8th inch pipe threads, but no grease fitting on either spring.

Any grease monkeys out there?

Tom

[3twinridges]

On a 48-52 F1, the springs call for a dripless oil. I use a spray on chain lube and wipe off any excess.

JB

[cas3]

For the ujoint, a lot of us use John deere corn head grease. Its a 00 rated grease that flows when warm, sets up when cold. Some use chassis grease like the old time gas station probably did. When its a fresh build, I like to leave the speedo turtle off and pump until you can see it is full. On an older car, I guess pump in a bunch. Too much will find its way out the clam shell, but do no harm.

On the spring, yes it had a zerk, probably a graphite type grease was used, but in later years this feature was eliminated as it tends to hold dirt. Do as you please there IMHO.

[Kurt in NJ]

The ford spring lubricants specification was approximately 75% ice machine oil,24% talc with a touch of ground asbestos.
Chassis grease will clog the passages and not allow distribution of lubrication .
Ice machine oil is similar with automatic transmission fluid.
Talc was used as dry lubrication and polishing agent,in the service bulletins it says to use dedicated grease gun and shake well before use,
I would consider the asbestos optional today.
I had a 46 that had the springs lubed with grease — it rode stiff and hard compared to the 39 that only ever had spring lube pumped into the spring.

Cylinders oil sodium soap grease was a channeling grease that filled the space and worked with the gear lube that passed by the rear bearing to lubricate the universal joint

[TomC750]

Thanks for the replies, very educational. My only question is how is the U joint accessed? Through the speedometer drive?

Tom

[Tim Ayers]

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There should be a zerk fitting on the two piece clam shell. Keep in mind this is a two piece "shell" that covers the bell mouth on the front of the torque tube that is resting on the stamped steel "bell" attached to the back of the trans. So you need to pump a decent amount of grease in there to get it work it's way to the u-joint

[Seth Swoboda]

Corn head grease for the U-Joint, JT6 grease for the springs and front end. Get a new grease fitting and thread it into the center bolt on the spring. You will be good for thousands of miles.

[19Fordy]

Tom: The zerk fitting to grease the clam shell assembly is located on the bottom of the lower half of the shell cover. To access it you have to either put the car on a lift or jack car up (use jackstands) so you can slide under the car. The clamshell holds a lot of John Deere grease. Here are some pix. The 4th photo shows the the speedo gear housing cover removed so you can see the amount of grease going inside.

The little brass piece with the hose clamp is an extension I made so that I could grease the clamshell from inside the car without removing the transmission cover. This is just an idea I had but, it's really not needed.

[Drbrown]

U Joints: For my '47 I obtained a "U" joint that was remanufactured with sealed bearings, thus eliminating the issue. Springs: My springs have the grease fittings. However, I believe the springs on some year cars came from the factory had sheet metal covers that were intended to hold the grease in and keep dirt out. My car does have them.

[Kurt in NJ]

Delux cars got the spring covers
Grease in the springs will not migrate to the tips when it is needed although if you have no or weak shocks you need a stiff springs to dampen movement.
The ride in a car with properly lubricated springs and properly working and adjusted shock absorbers is much different.
If you look at your springs and there is red dust or red grunge coming out of them they are not properly lubricated.
previous greasing with chassis grease clogs the built in passages preventing lubrication from reaching the tips of the leaves.

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

There should be a zerk fitting on the two piece clam shell. Keep in mind this is a two piece "shell" that covers the bell mouth on the front of the torque tube that is resting on the stamped steel "bell" attached to the back of the trans. So you need to pump a decent amount of grease in there to get it work it's way to the u-joint

Thanks Tim, I already have it up on jack stands. I looked for a fitting but did not see one. I just have to look harder!

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Corn head grease for the U-Joint, JT6 grease for the springs and front end. Get a new grease fitting and thread it into the center bolt on the spring. You will be good for thousands of miles.

Thanks Seth, I do have a source for corn head grease, need to find one for the JT6 grease. My car has the shields on the springs.

Tom

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Tom: The zerk fitting to grease the clam shell assembly is located on the bottom of the lower half of the shell cover. To access it you have to either put the car on a lift or jack car up (use jackstands) so you can slide under the car. The clamshell holds a lot of John Deere grease. Here are some pix. The 4th photo shows the the speedo gear housing cover removed so you can see the amount of grease going inside.

The little brass piece with the hose clamp is an extension I made so that I could grease the clamshell from inside the car without removing the transmission cover. This is just an idea I had but, it's really not needed.

Thanks 19Fordy, I should be all set.

Tom

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by TomC750

Thanks Tim, I already have it up on jack stands. I looked for a fitting but did not see one. I just have to look harder!

Sometimes folks install these with the zerk on top not realizing it. It should be there somewhere. If on top, hopefully someone install a 90 degree zerk to make accessing it easier.

[Terry,OH]

35 and earlier springs do not have the lube fitting. Spring leafs for the lube fitting have a groove down the center. 35 and earlier have a thick square nut and the head of the bolt is square to fit into the square hole in the crossmember. The lube fitting bolt has a groove down the side and a square head.

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Corn head grease for the U-Joint, JT6 grease for the springs and front end. Get a new grease fitting and thread it into the center bolt on the spring. You will be good for thousands of miles.

The threads on the center bolt are a bit smaller than 1/8th-27. I putzed around trying to figure the exact size, but was not able to figure it out. I have about every type of grease fitting there is. Unless there was originally an adapter fitting between the center bolt and a fitting, I am at a loss.

Tom

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

35 and earlier springs do not have the lube fitting. Spring leafs for the lube fitting have a groove down the center. 35 and earlier have a thick square nut and the head of the bolt is square to fit into the square hole in the crossmember. The lube fitting bolt has a groove down the side and a square head.

My car is a '41 Mercury, so it would seem to have the fitting or provision for, but no.

Tom

[TomC750]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Tom: The zerk fitting to grease the clam shell assembly is located on the bottom of the lower half of the shell cover. To access it you have to either put the car on a lift or jack car up (use jackstands) so you can slide under the car. The clamshell holds a lot of John Deere grease. Here are some pix. The 4th photo shows the the speedo gear housing cover removed so you can see the amount of grease going inside.

The little brass piece with the hose clamp is an extension I made so that I could grease the clamshell from inside the car without removing the transmission cover. This is just an idea I had but, it's really not needed.

Found the fitting and also the corn head grease. JD dealer not too far away.

Tom

[TomC750]

Forgot to mention, picked up GL 5 gear lube at NAPA, they had no GL4, and several other places didn't either. May have to order online. Crazy, there are a few standard shift cars out there yet!

Steering box, any brass in it?

Tom

[Zeke3]

Many use the corn head grease in the steering box also, I have not tried it yet.