Greasing the universal on 843

[donald73d]

What are the tricks to greasing the universal? Not an easy place to get to. I have Valvoline pink/red grease which is for heavy duty applications. Since reading the other thread, I think this has become a priority.

 

[Cyclone Ranger]

For a vehicle with an unknown service record I'd recommend pulling the engine and inspecting/replacing them. There is no way to get an accurate assessment of their condition with the engine in place.

 

[HanSolo]

For a vehicle with an unknown service record I'd recommend pulling the engine and inspecting/replacing them. There is no way to get an accurate assessment of their condition with the engine in place.

I'll agree with Cyclone. There's two current threads involving u-joint failures on 843s (one of which is a recent purchase by me). I haven't pulled the engine yet but I'm expecting there'll be some damage. There's an old thread with a link to a replacement u-joint for less than $50. http://www.drivetrainamerica.com/p-6052-neapco-1-2186-2c-u-joint-4-lwd.aspx

 

[donald73d]

I'll agree with Cyclone. There's two current threads involving u-joint failures on 843s (one of which is a recent purchase by me). I haven't pulled the engine yet but I'm expecting there'll be some damage. There's an old thread with a link to a replacement u-joint for less than $50. http://www.drivetrainamerica.com/p-6052-neapco-1-2186-2c-u-joint-4-lwd.aspx

I guess its more of I do not need a new project right now like pulling the engine. Once the weather is warm in a few weeks I need to go full bore on outside house projects. I addition to my 40 hour+ a week computer job.

 

[donald73d]

I'll agree with Cyclone. There's two current threads involving u-joint failures on 843s (one of which is a recent purchase by me). I haven't pulled the engine yet but I'm expecting there'll be some damage. There's an old thread with a link to a replacement u-joint for less than $50. http://www.drivetrainamerica.com/p-6052-neapco-1-2186-2c-u-joint-4-lwd.aspx

I guess its more of I do not need a new project right now like pulling the engine. Once the weather is warm in a few weeks I need to go full bore on outside house projects. I addition to my 40 hour+ a week computer job. So do I just reach way in and hit all three grease fittings?

 

[Tazza]

I guess its more of I do not need a new project right now like pulling the engine. Once the weather is warm in a few weeks I need to go full bore on outside house projects. I addition to my 40 hour+ a week computer job. So do I just reach way in and hit all three grease fittings?

If you don't want to pull the engine, you can try reaching back past the blower housing and seeing if you can get a grease gun on the grease nipples. You may need a helper to turn the engine over by hand so the grease nipples line up.
Pulling the engine isn't as hard as you may think, i have one out, replaced the u-jounts and back in running in 2-3 hours. That included stuffing around with the u-joints that were a little tight. Something to do when time allows

 

[donald73d]

If you don't want to pull the engine, you can try reaching back past the blower housing and seeing if you can get a grease gun on the grease nipples. You may need a helper to turn the engine over by hand so the grease nipples line up.
Pulling the engine isn't as hard as you may think, i have one out, replaced the u-jounts and back in running in 2-3 hours. That included stuffing around with the u-joints that were a little tight. Something to do when time allows

Tazza - thanks. If you go to that much work, do you just replace the u-joints anyway, or only if they feel loose? Maybe it depends upon how much they are?

 

[Tazza]

Tazza - thanks. If you go to that much work, do you just replace the u-joints anyway, or only if they feel loose? Maybe it depends upon how much they are?

On a 743 they are about 60 each, so about 120 for a set.
If they move freely and have no play, i have no problem giving them a good greasing and putting them back in.