The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Ball housing lubrication

I've read posts and instructions from the manual as how it is necessary to add about a cup of 90w into the ball housing after reassembly to provide initial lubrication for the u-joint assembly. As I understand it, once the truck is running, tranny lube passes through into the ball housing to provide continual lubrication for the u-joint. Does this mean that the transmission is continually losing 90w and if so, how often should I be checking that level?

Well, jd, the quick answer is "yes" you will most likely always be loosing transmission fluid; either from dripping-by various external gaskets and seals, or by passing-by the driveshaft/torque-tube bearing/bushing.

However, if your seals and bushings are good, the loss is minimal. Just check (and, top-up) the level of the transmission fluid every time you change oil (3,000 miles?), unless you see a lot of transmission fluid dripping under the truck (then, top-up more often).

Tim

Thanks Tim, that makes sense. Gotta love those torque tubes...

One of my biggest nightmares was checking the tranny to find it dry and the differential more than full. You guessed it - the seal in the torque tube had failed which necessitated installing an Okie assembly - a job I would not want to do again. Even today, three years later, I am checking my tranny fluid after every ride.

When I had my jeep with a leak that kept coming back, I made a sight glass for the transmission- I replaced the drain and fill plugs with pipe nipples and ran a length of clear tubing between the two. It made it really easy to check, I would just look under there with a flashlight.