Tom Woods Double Cardan Front Driveshaft Lubrication

[Rut Row]

It is time for my first lube of my TW driveshafts. I manage to get the rear shaft just fine but had to buy a needle with a 90-deg tip to get the centering ball. The other two had standard zerks on the end of the U-joint which made it very easy.



The front ... &^%$#@ ... WFT were they thinking by putting those Gawd D*amned flush/low profile zerks on all THREE lubrication points? (If you said I was stupid by not thinking it through when I installed it, you are right!) Thankfully I have a 1.25" body lift and can get to them (barely). I bought a long needle and manage to get the front one okay. I think I got on the back but it didn't take any grease so I'm not sure. And of course it is now covered in grease and hard to reach to clean it off.

The centering ball? I can't even see it! It kills me to think I have to remove the driveshaft just to lubricate it. TW says "If you go wheeling and drive through a lot of dirt or water, grease your shaft as soon as you get home."



So EVERY month I need to pull the DS just to grease it? There has to be a better answer.

I may send it back and get the double cardan end changed to non-greasable.

 

[macleanflood]

Non greasable doesn't mean you have to do any less work. Personally it means you have to completely disassemble to get grease in.

Here's non-greasable u joint caps after two years.

-Mac

 

[lBasket]

Oh shit you're supposed to grease these

 

[TheBoogieman]

Non greasable doesn't mean you have to do any less work. Personally it means you have to completely disassemble to get grease in.

Here's non-greasable u joint caps after two years.
-Mac

I guess I'd better go check my u-joints now. They're the originals from 2003.

 

[D's Jeep Wrld]

Oh shit you're supposed to grease these

Meh not really,But you'll absolutely know when you need too!

 

[Moglocker]

It is time for my first lube of my TW driveshafts. I manage to get the rear shaft just fine but had to buy a needle with a 90-deg tip to get the centering ball. The other two had standard zerks on the end of the U-joint which made it very easy.

View attachment 660669

The front ... &^%$#@ ... WFT were they thinking by putting those Gawd D*amned flush/low profile zerks on all THREE lubrication points? (If you said I was stupid by not thinking it through when I installed it, you are right!) Thankfully I have a 1.25" body lift and can get to them (barely). I bought a long needle and manage to get the front one okay. I think I got on the back but it didn't take any grease so I'm not sure. And of course it is now covered in grease and hard to reach to clean it off.

The centering ball? I can't even see it! It kills me to think I have to remove the driveshaft just to lubricate it. TW says "If you go wheeling and drive through a lot of dirt or water, grease your shaft as soon as you get home."

View attachment 660670

So EVERY month I need to pull the DS just to grease it? There has to be a better answer.

I may send it back and get the double cardan end changed to non-greasable.

Do this,if you have a body lift,unbolt the front off the diff,then rotate the diff end towards the passenger side and the needle is easily reached under the drivers door.

 

[Rut Row]

Do this,if you have a body lift,unbolt the front off the diff,then rotate the diff end towards the passenger side and the needle is easily reached under the drivers door.

thanks - I'll give that a shot.