300Tdi: Greasing prop shaft

Evening all, I've serviced my '96 300tdi Disco today and one of the tasks I wanted to do (as the previous owner neglected her and she hasn't had a service in 20k miles) was to grease the prop shaft. I obtained some of the Lithium grease etc and proceeded to pump in to the rear section first. The rubber boot/gaiter was expanding as I did so as it had crept away from what I think is the UJ. The tiniest squirt of grease showed itself from underneath the rubber, I'd put in around 10 pumps by that point. Does anyone have any comments as to whether or not I've actually done something badly needed or have I set it on the road to failure? Incidentally, for the front section of prop shaft, the nipple was at a more difficult angle to attack and I was lucky to get a couple of squirts which actually went in so not as thorough a job. I noted that again, the rubber appeared to have crept away from the UJ- or is this how it's meant to be? Lot's of questions so sorry to be a pain, I only bought her last week after getting rid of an almost identical model a couple of years ago in favour of a td5 which I sold on due to not getting on with the auto gearbox...cheers, Tony.

Hi Tony, I've had the same experience with my Disco, there should be four channels for the grease to flow down in the spider and I've always been of the opinion that you should get a little grease appearing at each rubber gasket. I could only get it to appear at one aswell. On my series 2a I am able to direct the grease to each channel by pulling on the prop and effectively sealing off 2 legs of the spider at a time to give the grease a chance to flow into what may be a dry joint. I couldn't achieve this on the disco so my plan is to do this little and often in the hope it can reach all parts and prolong the components life. Apart from that I'm not able to offer any suggestions.

Best Kate

ps the 'spider' is the UJ

I have heard it meantioned some where the only way to grease a Uj Properly is to take the prop off and grease it thet way , due to the fact that the ju is at an angle and only two of the bearings get the grease, and as the nipple is always i the same place its always the same two....

Some one will let us know soon.

Thanks for the reply's, I feel reassured that I've probably done the prop some good even if I haven't reached every necessary part. I'll probably go with the little and often method suggested, at least I'll appear to be getting my money's worth from the grease!

Tiz worth while every now and again to take it off, strip it, clean it and repack. Also remove the nipples and check they are all aren't blocked.

Just the fact that you've actually offered grease into the prop is more than most people do...!

Hopefully the new grease has forced out the old grease and any grit or particles with it. But there is only one way to be sure and that is to do it on the bench like MHM said.

I will schedule an oin the bench inspection when my father in law next visits, he's a mechanic (though never had a great interest in Landy's) and though he's getting on quite a bit, he'll be a reassuring presence as I've never done it before. Thanks for the advice all.

Discotony said:

I will schedule an oin the bench inspection when my father in law next visits, he's a mechanic (though never had a great interest in Landy's) and though he's getting on quite a bit, he'll be a reassuring presence as I've never done it before. Thanks for the advice all.

Click to expand...

Remember to scribe nice clear lines on the UJ's and the splines when you plan to pull it apart. so it can all go back together the same way.

GKN: TVC100010 is the UJ part number (I got one right here on my desk!) a large vice, a few pound coins and some circlip pliers and they're easy enough to change... food for thought!

Just so you know what your letting yourself in for... we you'll get the idea..

Have a look at busters link

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/uj-renewal-59812.html