How often should I grease centering ball in front driveshaft?

Nordic

Nordic

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2019
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Location
Monument, CO
So unfortunately, last time I had my front driveshaft rebuilt they put a greasable centering ball in. Shoulda complained about it, but it's been too long now since the rebuild so anyhow.. What's the consensus on how often to grease it? Saw one post saying that 3k miles is the norm, but it would be a bit of a PITA to have to drop the driveshaft and/or skid every 2-3 months because my jeep is my DD.
 
I'd say every 3k miles is just fine, as long as you aren't doing any off-roading. If so, I would grease it and clean it after every trip.
 
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Nordic said:
So unfortunately, last time I had my front driveshaft rebuilt they put a greasable centering ball in. Shoulda complained about it, but it's been too long now since the rebuild so anyhow.. What's the consensus on how often to grease it? Saw one post saying that 3k miles is the norm, but it would be a bit of a PITA to have to drop the driveshaft and/or skid every 2-3 months because my jeep is my DD.
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I would think once a year would be fine.
 
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Nordic said:
So unfortunately, last time I had my front driveshaft rebuilt they put a greasable centering ball in. Shoulda complained about it, but it's been too long now since the rebuild so anyhow.. What's the consensus on how often to grease it? Saw one post saying that 3k miles is the norm, but it would be a bit of a PITA to have to drop the driveshaft and/or skid every 2-3 months because my jeep is my DD.
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I would consider having a greasable ball in the DC joint a huge positive as opposed to a negative.
I typically grease everything every 3k or more if I’ve had the Jeep through deep water.
 
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Ugh. I would have much rather had non greasable in mine, as I had with the factory shafts. These are a bitch to get to, especially the rear since I have an LJ wheelbase and my CV joint doesn't separate enough to fit the needle supplied with the shaft. I just ordered a narrow steel one which should help with the rear but it's still gonna suck to do the front since it's way back there above the skid plate.
 
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Luke Markham said:
Dropping the skid makes it way easier and isn't a huge deal if you're under these for an oil change anyway.
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It becomes a little bigger deal with an engine skid too since I have to pull that first to get a jack to support the transmission...all to grease a zerk I didn't even ask for. I've only had the front shaft on since September, maybe 3k miles so that one isn't urgent. When I need to, I'll give it a shot first with a little mirror and a work light.
 
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Success! Not only did the skinnier needle fit but thanks to the body lift theres enough clearance to grease the front centering ball from between the tub and frame. I just had to cram a work light in there so I could see the fitting, and roll the rig a bit to get it pointed toward me.

PXL_20220331_214304939.jpg
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
Success! Not only did the skinnier needle fit but thanks to the body lift theres enough clearance to grease the front centering ball from between the tub and frame. I just had to cram a work light in there so I could see the fitting, and roll the rig a bit to get it pointed toward me.

View attachment 319689
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What needle did you go with? Curious how long it is. I recently got one on amazon, but idk if it will be long enough.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
Success! Not only did the skinnier needle fit but thanks to the body lift theres enough clearance to grease the front centering ball from between the tub and frame. I just had to cram a work light in there so I could see the fitting, and roll the rig a bit to get it pointed toward me.

View attachment 319689
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I'm late to every party...

Is that a little spot of red grease? I'm not even sure I've ever seen the grease point on mine so guessing that's the location? In my defense, it got regeared and driveshafts balanced less than 3000 miles ago so my guy would have greased everything.
But today I loaded my new Milwaukee 12v GG and gonna give it a whirl. I have a grease 'accessory' kit so will see if the extended needle is part of it. Otherwise I'll order from Amazon.

Might drop the skid plates to cut the Nth Degree for access to my 6spd drain port... dammit.
 
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NOTNSUV said:
I'm late to every party...

Is that a little spot of red grease? I'm not even sure I've ever seen the grease point on mine so guessing that's the location? In my defense, it got regeared and driveshafts balanced less than 3000 miles ago so my guy would have greased everything.
But today I loaded my new Milwaukee 12v GG and gonna give it a whirl. I have a grease 'accessory' kit so will see if the extended needle is part of it. Otherwise I'll order from Amazon.

Might drop the skid plates to cut the Nth Degree for access to my 6spd drain port... dammit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there's a little bowl with a hole in the middle, you just stab the needle into the hole and hold it in there tight while you pump the grease. Make sure it's pointed as straight as you can get it or you can make a real mess in a hurry.

And as posted above, most (if not all?) factory shafts are non greasable so its a non issue unless it's an aftermarket shaft.
 
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My front driveshaft started chirping and squeaking on me when I was on a rough trail over 100 miles from civilization. Within the 6 miles or so it took to get to a decent road it got really loud. I unbolted the driveshaft from the front diff, wired it up out of the way and drove home. So when I had the shaft rebuilt I specified that they use the greasable centering ball since I never want to go through this again.

It is a pain as I have to drop my bash plate/transfer case support to get to the grease fitting. But I generally drop that bash plate once a year anyway to clean out all the debris that builds up inside it. My TJ rarely gets over 3000 miles a year on it so once a year greasing should last my lifetime.
 
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deserteagle56 said:
My front driveshaft started chirping and squeaking on me when I was on a rough trail over 100 miles from civilization. Within the 6 miles or so it took to get to a decent road it got really loud. I unbolted the driveshaft from the front diff, wired it up out of the way and drove home.
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That was an excellent decision, who knows what might have happened had you not done that!! 👍
 
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