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| | | Forums66 Topics128,066 Posts1,055,876 Members48,428 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 27 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 27 | Some where in the past I've seen instructions and warnings about what to do and not to do about greasing,servicing and maintinance of closed drive train .Any help on locating this info. will be appreciated ---I've gone thru search and can't locate.Thanks
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | Check the fluid levels in both the rearend and the transmission. Finally, put fluid in the front u-joint. This items is often missed and leads to many u-joint failures.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 27 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 27 | Thank you ,will comply,I've remembered that somewhere it says ONLY fill at the speedometer input point.Does that ring a bell or am I imagining that up? Thanks again --looks like you've got alot of fun underway. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 255 | My 38 Chevy 1/2 ton has a fill hole for the u-joint where the battery ground connects to tranny. Hope that helps. Good luck! | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 | I'm glad someone brought this up. My U-joint has a grease fitting... what's up with that? Can you use grease in there or did someone just give up trying to keep it full and decided at least grease is better than nothing?
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | What tranny are you using? My SM420 has a plug on the back on top of the U-joint housing which you remove and fill with tranny oil to lube the U-joint.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 | Mine is the SM420 also and I think the PO either got tired of filling it because of leaks or he lost the cap and just stuck a grease fitting in the hole.
I'm afraid mine isn't in the best of condition sealing-wise and was curious if greasing these things is some kind of "old school work around" for leaky u-joints. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,839 | I can't imagine grease staying adhered to the u joint once it has spun around fast a couple times. Now if the U-joint had zerk fittings on it like a modern U-joint then that would be a cat's meow.
Craig My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,644 | Thanks, that answers my question. I'll find a plug with the correct threads and use it. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I have read that the "grease"-fitting near the top of an SM420 torque-tube housing was used at the factory to shoot in transmission lubricant to make sure enough fluid was in the u-joint housing. This could be a myth.
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