Preventative maintanance

[tuggy]

Big issue for everybody this,,,just lately i have come across a lot of guys bringing stuff to me saying this has gone or this is making a noise then when i look its a prop shaft UJ that has worn away or a track rod end that is falling off,,,,,,if your taking a 4x4 and thats any make of 4x4 off road and dragging it through mud,water,and especialy the type of muck thats at the off road center thats near rhonda,,,, that gets into everything and acts like an abrasive and wears out UJ,s in a day,,,,,

after a good days off roading,,,take the time to power wash all the mud off taking care to make sure you get everything then with your grease gun,,,,,,,dont tell me you havent got one,,,,well get on e bay and order one,,,,,,,,,grease the prop shaft UJ,s and track rod ends and anything else thats fitted with a grease nipple this will force out any water or muck that has managed to get behind the seals and will lubricate,,,,,if your track rod ends dont have grease nipples or the rubber seals are torn sorce some new ones and have them fitted,,,,,

and while your doing that and the bonnet is up check your oil ,coolant level,clutch and brake fluids,power steering fluid, and check for fluid leaks a quick visual look for anything thats broken,,,then your ready for your next outing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,simples,,,,,,,,,,

 

enjoy your off roading,,,,,,tug.

 

tthis is the sort of thing that can happen  total UJ destruction,,,,,??????

[tuggy]

well maybe we should run a course and anybody who wants to know more should attend,,,

 

[Alfred Balban]

Its not a bad idea my friend,we could do it on one of the Posito Fridays events were we can use the advantage of the terrian to get under the cars and show were everything is for first timers.

[Alfred Balban]

Its all under your car bro,just take a look to the UJ's and you will see the grease nipples sticking out!

[tuggy]

yea could put a little course-demo on use to do this sort of thing before,,,,for guys and women who want to learn a little bit its invaluable,,,,,,and even hard core off roaders might learn something,,,,

[tuggy]

yea could do,,,but not at the possito you need to do it on tarmac or road,,,hard standing

[tuggy]

yea sounds good,,,,think it would have to be a saturday afternoon,,,or one night in the car park at the lions,,,,,

[Adam Karp]

Nice post Tuggy. Are grease nipples universal?

[Alfred Balban]

I think they are Adam,truly I have never seen one different in size or shape.

[tuggy]

no there are lots of different nipples,,,straight,45deg,90deg   M6,M8,M10 all used for different applications .

[The Hackney Garage]

Hi first post. Good issue and should be taken on board, i will try and help as much as i can with my expertise but i cannot promise follow on to personal request these can be made at my work shop, OK with that out the way here goes.

1. An absolute must after heavy dirty off road driving is to have a good under body chassis and wheel clean and degrease for any parts ie: prop shaft (1) runs along under body from gearbox end to rear of car (Transfer box smaller prop. running same direction but only to final drive) these all have grease nipples. 

2. any other moving parts  (PIC A) below with these fitted (PIC B)PIC B

There are newer types as well which cannot be serviced with a normal grease gun are like these (PIC C):

PIC C

So to finish this wee post off, get yourself a decent grease gun if you intend doing regular grease ups. firm ground jack handbrake applied and at least two axle stands, be prepared with a good old blanket to cover the underneath of car, plenty of rags for dispelled grease and a small wire brush to clean the nipples. DONT try and turn older nipples unless you are replacing them ( and that's a whole other post) ! So I hope I help'd a little and remember YOUR personal safety comes 1ST.

Wazzer

[Marocatlasgib4x4 Club]

Great post,this info is really going to help members who are beginers off-roaders to get to know their vehicles.