If you have u-joints in your vehicle, you may be wondering if you need to grease them every now and then. It depends on the type of u-joints your vehicle has. There are two kinds of u-joints:
· Permanently lubricated u-joints (with no grease zerk)
· Greaseable (with a grease zerk)
About Permanently Lubricated U-Joints
Permanently lubricated u-joints are also called sealed u-joints or maintenance-free u-joints. These u-joints have an irreversible seal. The lubrication they have is sufficient to last the entire life of the u-joint. They function much like standard u-joints. This kind of u-joint is preferred by some owners of trucks and SUVs. It's because their u-joints don't require frequent maintenance.
U-joints that are permanently lubricated are totally sealed. They have a solid external body as a result. Nowhere will you find a grease zerk. Permanently greased u-joints are probably going to live longer than greaseable u-joints that aren't properly maintained.
The only option available when a permanently lubricated u-joint fails is to replace it with a new one. Make sure the permanently lubricated u-joints are properly greased before installing them. Verify that they are not overly rigid or tight.
About Greaseable U-Joints
The lifespan of greaseable u-joints is longer than that of permanently sealed u-joints. Older u-joints required grease to function.The common rule of thumb is to grease a greaseable u-joint every 5,000 miles. The exact service interval depends on the u-joint brand.
Grease zerks are installed on the cross or top bearing cap of greaseable u-joints. The new grease can go in through that zerk.
Remember to lubricate your u-joints every 5,000 miles, or as the manufacturer suggests. They should survive longer than u-joints that are permanently sealed.
How To Know Which Type Of U-Joints Your Vehicle Has
The best way to tell whether your truck or SUV has greaseable or permanently sealed u-joints is to look at the u-joints. If you see a grease zerk on one of the bearing caps or the cross, then it's greaseable. If there's no zerk in sight, then it's permanently sealed.
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