Grease or Heavy Duty oil in CV Housing

[TND90]

Justed wanted to get a broader idea of which form of lubrication is best for the swivel pin housing. I have read the existing threads concerning this matter and it seems that some prefer a thick oil, such as EP90, and others along with Land Rover recommend the grease. I just finished rebuilding the swivel pin housing and want to make a good choice the first time.

Look forward to hearing everyones comments.

Thanks
Keith

[LRNAD90]

I think you will find this one to be highly opinionated, but since you asked. I prefer Oil in the swivels. To me (assuming the owner checks the levels regularly), the oil provides better ability to 'get into' all the tight areas and lubricate properly, and it is also much easier to flush out contaminants if necessary (water crossing gone bad, etc).

In the case of Defenders, I also like it better because that was the original engineering specification for lubrication. For a long time there were never any issues with oil as a lubricant, it was just that Land Rover got tired of paying the dealers hours worth of labor to change out leaky seals, so they came up with the grease, and eliminated more seal replacements from the warranty costs budget.

I run Redline's 75W140 (http://www.redlineoil.com/products_gearlubricants.asp?productID=36&subCategoryID=15&categoryID=6) in the swivels (along with the diffs and t-case), I'm sure others will have many opinions to share.

[D90user]

IRedline's 75W140[/URL] in the swivels (along with the diffs and t-case), I'm sure others will have many opinions to share.

Another for oil. You can drain it.

I'm not an oil expert but I think you are supposed to use 75w(or 80w)-90 in all the gears.

[Red90]

Oil. I always remove the seal between the swivel and and axle so that they share oil. With oil, you know when they are leaking BEFORE you decide to go wading. With grease you get to find out after..... In proper condition, the swivels should not leak.

[TND90]

Thanks guys,

John, what type of oil do you run in your front diffs with the seal off? Any negatives to removing that seal? I was actually wondering about doing that exact same thing. Is the seal there because Land Rover specified different oils for the diff and swivel pin housing?

[junkyddog11]

If you mix oil 50/50 with the grease you get both the improved lubrication of the moly grease and the ability to drain it after sitting stuck in the mud for hrs.

[Red90]

Thanks guys,

John, what type of oil do you run in your front diffs with the seal off? Any negatives to removing that seal? I was actually wondering about doing that exact same thing. Is the seal there because Land Rover specified different oils for the diff and swivel pin housing?

A 75W90 synthetic, usually Redline. With the range of temperatures I see up here, a wider range of viscosity is a good idea. Rover does not specify different oil (or didn't).

There is no downside. In Australia, they have been doing it since the 70s. You should overfill a bit as the swivel levels are higher than the axle, but I suspect it really does not matter. On the initial fill, make sure you fill the swivels as well.

[revor]

If you mix oil 50/50 with the grease you get both the improved lubrication of the moly grease and the ability to drain it after sitting stuck in the mud for hrs.
What He said...

I always remove the seal between the swivel and and axle so that they share oil.

I do this too..