do you use grease or oil?

[bimfest]

i have often debated the use of lithium grease for bearings, but when i opened my front axle housing i found gear oil in there instead, not to mention the inner cv boot had a thick oil in there too instead of grease...
Since some of the oil in axle housing bearing has drained out in the removal process can i replace it with lithium grease?

Also moly paste for splines? i am in the process of putting axles back into wheel hub and want to clean down the existing splines and lube up with some moly. any suggestions with this lube?

[upallnight]

The oil you see is for the differential gears. It is just an added bonus that the axle bearings get some of the oil.

[bimfest]

so if i smother the axle bearings in lithium grease all good?

[upallnight]

I would just let the 90W gear oil that's in the differential lubricate the bearings. I would replace all the oil seals and o-rings for the differential while you are at it.

[Scott ZHP]

Personally, I don't use moly-based lube on the halfshalf splines. The splined shaft is often a tight fit in the hub and moly lube is thick stuff. I've used several CV axle brands and GKN/Loebro axles seem to be the tightest fit, whereas the EMPI/Empire tend to fit without much fuss. Haven't used the Duralast/Autozone stuff, as I don't trust them. I used to be a CV axle snob and only use GKN, but I haven't had any issues with the EMPI stuff.

Anyway, instead of moly lube, I use a thin coat of Permatex anti-sieze paste. I also clean the hub and the shaft *really* well with a brass brush beforehand.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Anyway, instead of moly lube, I use a thin coat of Permatex anti-sieze paste. I also clean the hub and the shaft *really* well with a brass brush beforehand.

^^^ When I did my wheel bearings I cleaned up the hub area with a Dremel and wire wheel to kick back the rust and clean it up nice - I cleaned the splines with some WD40 (they were pretty clean), and a light coat of anti-seize on the splines when I reinstalled, and brushed a light coat on the hub area, and top of axle shaft after the axle nut was installed so hopefully keeps corrosion at bay for years to come.

[bimfest]

Originally Posted by upallnight

I would just let the 90W gear oil that's in the differential lubricate the bearings. I would replace all the oil seals and o-rings for the differential while you are at it.

Your definetly right about putting gear oil back in the bearing. Rang dealership and asked what they use....diff oil. Looks like its a oil bath for the bearing.
Replaced both orings on either side of sump, and oil seal from axle housing and diff.
Used moly grease (castrol lmm) for axle splines to go back in hub.

Should i put a grease on the axle where it sits in the sump tunnel to the diff? Or leave it dry

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by bimfest

Your definetly right about putting gear oil back in the bearing. Rang dealership and asked what they use....diff oil. Looks like its a oil bath for the bearing.
Replaced both orings on either side of sump, and oil seal from axle housing and diff.
Used moly grease (castrol lmm) for axle splines to go back in hub.

Should i put a grease on the axle where it sits in the sump tunnel to the diff? Or leave it dry

I would leave it dry.

[bimfest]

Thanks chief. Local indies in aus charge an arm and a leg for this sort of stuff. No info online or anywhere saying the bearings should be in oil or grease or dry etc.

[Kristophe]

I use automatic transmission fluid on the splines.