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Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:04 pm

As usual, the search function gets me 1975 hits on the terms "grease cv joint axle" - everything from how to make a shelter at a campsite with a tarp, to good seafood stops along the Louisiana coast.

Greases come and go, looking for input on the best current CV grease for the rear axle. Thought I had some Amsoil and some Mobil 1 on hand, but must have used more than I thought last summer. Since I have to run to the shop anyhow, thought I'd ask since I can get most.

I can't even find in the Bentley's axle maint section what type of grease - moly, etc? Says something like "G6 grease". Eh?

Fire away - thanks.

DougM

Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:08 pm

I think you may think too much? If it's designed for CV joints and not sold at a DollarStore, I think it's good to use.

Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:09 pm

Swepco 101

Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:24 pm

You'll want the grease to be "extreme pressure" rated and fortified with molybdenum.

If you are into specmanship, check the "Timken OK Load" rating.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timken_OK_Load

I use this stuff:

Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:40 pm

I repacked all of mine last summer with the swepco 101 seems fine so far.

Phil

Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:04 pm

I also use the Stab-Lube -- available at most FLAPS.

I also give them a dose now and then with my Pampered Chef Flavor Injector:

Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:20 pm

Doug - Swepco and the synthetic red Valvolene Synpower greases are both superior choices.

IF those prove inadequate, Porsche Racing Division also used some highly toxic lead based stuff for the African Safari runs with the SC/RS a few decades ago.

Mon Apr 02, 2012 6:01 pm

Nice, gentle friends!! I had to run my daughter to play practice directly from dropping the second axle shaft on the floor. Literally pulled off my coveralls, dropped them on the garage floor next to my rubber gloves and headlamp (old eyes) and jump in the truck to take her. So I checked this thread as I walked into NAPA on the way home, snagged the snappy Valvoline Synpower (I'm a sucker for red) and now I'm home to see if I can get one axle repacked and booted before heading off to watch the game with some buddies. Thank you so much.

Ahwahnee wins the "anally retentive" competition on this thread by a mile....

DougM

Mon Apr 02, 2012 9:34 pm

Is this the grease you bought?

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower_grease.pdf

Spec's look good on that one.

The reason I ask is because it says the grease is "Gray-Black" in color. Which is good, because the gray/black color means it has molybdenum in it...

Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:58 am

Yeah, that's it and no it is not red. There was a smear of red grease on one tube, so I grabbed a clean one. assumed it was red inside, but alas it is about the cruddiest looking grey and sticky grease I've used this side of marine wheel bearing grease (light blue, strings a couple inches long, for wet conditions). One $6 tube seems like it will do all 4 rear CVs.

DougM

Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:57 am

PS - this popped up a few days ago. Tencentlife covered the subject pretty well a few years back and I doubt my CV's have changed much since then...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216482

UPSHOT: Black grease good/stay away from the cheap stuff

Works for me...

Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:13 am

I swear by Red Line CV2 grease. http://www.jegs.com/i/Red%20Line%20Oil/816/80401/10002/-1?CT=999

Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:31 am

the REAL question is how often the grease should be changed if the vehicle is not driven much (as with many camper van in highly seasonal parts of the country)

I tried to find out one time by Emailing major lubricant manfs. and never got a really good response. Mobile did say the shelf life was 5 years (or was it 7?) so I just use that, even tho it might be limited by component separation (caused by lack of mixing when sitting on the shelf). Certainly, greases are not exposed to breakdown from combustion byproducts.

Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:48 am

rsxsr wrote: I swear by Red Line CV2 grease. http://www.jegs.com/i/Red%20Line%20Oil/816/80401/10002/-1?CT=999
Sounds good.

Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:56 am

randywebb wrote: the REAL question is how often the grease should be changed if the vehicle is not driven much (as with many camper van in highly seasonal parts of the country)

I tried to find out one time by Emailing major lubricant manfs. and never got a really good response. Mobile did say the shelf life was 5 years (or was it 7?) so I just use that, even tho it might be limited by component separation (caused by lack of mixing when sitting on the shelf). Certainly, greases are not exposed to breakdown from combustion byproducts.

Grease is a gently used CV should last a very long time IF the boot is good and it is not exposed to road wash. You're correct, it seperates on the shelf.