Tip for packing your knuckles with grease

[powerwagontim]

I have just finished a complete teardown, blast and paint everything and reassemble everything on the M37 front axle. I packed the knuckles today. First tip, get a pneumatic grease gun. I got one the last time I did one of these, and its the greatest. I usually use my old fashioned one for a quick stroke here and there, but for knuckles, the air cant be beat.
As has been discussed, , temporarily moving the upper grease fitting to the bottom hole is a really good idea. I have also done that in the past. I started out holding the coupler onto the zerk fitting, and after a bit my mind wanders, the grip on the zerk gets sloppy, and next thing you have a palm full of grease! I pulled the zerk out of the bottom hole, unscrewed the coupler from the greasegun's flexible hose and voila, the flexible hose end screwed right into the bottom hole of the knuckle! Now we are talking real brainless. Sit there and hold the trigger on the gun and daydream until the tube is empty, then with the hose still screwed in, swap tubes and go back to daydreaming! After almost 4 tubes, the grease will come out the top fitting and its time to clean up! Job done.
Giver a try.
Tim

[M37UK]

I have to put my front axle back together again soon but does it really take 4 tubes to fill just the knuckles?

[powerwagontim]

Hi Stu,
It was 3 and some from the 4th each side.
Tim

[M37UK]

OK, thanks Tim

I better make sure I have plenty then!

[8543bob]

GOOD MORNING ALL,
I know this may sound dumb, but anyhow: I have been all over my M, greased all the fittings 2x since I have had her(2 years). I dont remember seeing or reading about front knuckles grease fittings. Can you please tell me where they are?
I like the idea of using the air grease or elect gun on the bottom of the knuckle, but I have to locate the plug/zerk fitting first.
Thanks BOB

>

[powerwagontim]

Bob,
Right on top of the steering arm on the drivers side, and same spot on the passenger side is a square fitting with a grease zerk coming out the side. The fittig is just a 90 degree elbow, but its square. At the bottom of the knuckle, but visible, about an inch from the knuckle wiper seal, is a small slotted screw plug. Remove both the zerk, and the slotted plug. Screw your flexible grease gun hose (grease fitting coupler removed) right into the bottom hole and you are off to the races!
Tim

[Lifer]

I've always found my knuckles to be sufficiently packed with grease after
plunging my
hands into the grease bucket and then briskly rubbing them togerther.

[8543bob]

wrote:
>
Thanks for the great last words on grease.

[8543bob]

wrote:
>
THANKS TIM, I WILL LOOK TODAY

[SOTVEN]

I've always found my knuckles to be sufficiently packed with grease after
plunging my
hands into the grease bucket and then briskly rubbing them togerther.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[8543bob]

wrote:
>
GOOD AM,
I found the zerk for the knuckles, it appears they have been greased, If i add more grease where do look for it to ozze out? I dont want to force in more than they can handle.
THANKS BOB

[powerwagontim]

Hi Bob,
OK, you are halfway there. Just because there might be some grease around the zerk does not mean the knuckle is full of grease. Now find the small slotted plug at the 6 o clock position at the bottom of the knuckles. Remove the plug, and pump into the top zerk until grease comes out the hole that you just opened up by removing the plug. OR, screw your flexible grease gun hose into the lower plug hose and remove the upper zerk and pump till the grease comes out the top zerk hole. (see the initial post in this thread)
Tim

[8543bob]

wrote:
HI, OK GOT IT, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE SLOTED SCREW WAS MEANT AS A BLEEDER HOLE FOR THE GREASE. I WILL TRY THE BOTTOM UP METHOD, REMOVE THE SCREW AND THE ZERK, SCREW IN MY GREASE GUN AND LET COME OUT THE TOP. AGAIN THANKS BOB>

[Gerry]

What should I use for a grease on the knuckles An earlier post recommended NLGI#2 grease but should it be high temp or waterproof or is there one that is a combination of all?
Thanks,

[pwrwagonfire]

Wish I had one of those fancy grease guns...I've had the same experience, roughly 3 1/2 tubes each side


With my traditional grease gun, my hands are STILL cramping up 4 months later!