The Ford Barn

Ca. Kid · 03-18-2012, 09:39 PM

I recently bought a 1930 Murry 155C. When I was servicing it I found there is no grease fitting for the universal joint. Was this some aftermarket unit or what?

Colorado Greg · 03-18-2012, 09:46 PM

You don't grease a model A u-joint like a modern car. There is a zerk on the side of the housing that covers the u-joint, remove a bolt for the speedo housing and fill the entire cavity with grease until it comes out the bolt hole.

Gary WA · 03-18-2012, 09:48 PM

No 11 is the grease fitting location. remove a bolt from the speedometer gear and pump grease till it starts coming out of hole. Will probably take close to a tube?

Ca. Kid · 03-18-2012, 10:16 PM

That's the problem, there is no grease fitting or zerk on the housing. My 31 has two fittings if I remember correctly.

TinCup · 03-18-2012, 10:21 PM

You know I had the same problem with mine. Someone had purposely plugged the hole that the zero was in. Look for a similar cobble.

Steve Plucker · 03-18-2012, 11:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Go to my website and you will see the part for which has the grease fitting if it has not been pluged up as stated above.

Pluck

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-19-2012, 01:52 AM

Maybe this is DUMB, but I'm going to try it! "VERMIN," my '29 coupe. It was restored in 1987, sat for many years. I'm sure the u-joint is bone dry. While the floorboards are out, I will drill a 1/8" hole in trans. rear housing, squirt at least 1/2 bottle of 600 weight into the u-joint area to create a "puddle" for the joint to dip into. I THINK that, along with the small amount of oil that gets through the trans. rear bearing will keep it lubed. I'll plug the 1/8" hole with a dab of silicone rubber. Not suggesting you try that, but Ol' Bill's gonna' do his!! I don't have much faith in filling the WHOLE u-joint area with grease, as centrifugal force just "blows" the grease away from the u-joint! Bill W.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-19-2012, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ca. Kid

I recently bought a 1930 Murry 155C. When I was servicing it I found there is no grease fitting for the universal joint. Was this some aftermarket unit or what?

I've never seen a bearing retainer without the threaded hole for the grease zerk. Have you used a mirror or carefully felt all around the rear bearing retainer for the zerk, or the bump where the zerk fits.

Bill, I wouldn't drill a hole. For one thing it will put metal filings in the housing. If you pump in grease the U-joint will probably outlive most of us. Mystik JT-6 high temp is a very sticky grease, and I'd have no fear of it not giving the U-joint plenty of lubrication. Also if you don't have a sealed rear bearing some gear oil should find it's way back to the U-joint.

Kevin in NJ · 03-19-2012, 05:49 AM

Keep in mind that the grease acts like a conduit for the oil that will leak out of the transmission.

I know everyone wants to put the shielded (they are not sealed) bearings. This slows down the natural leaking of oil that helps to lube the U joint. If you look close at the tranny you will find the oil that leaks out of the front will drain back into the tranny. The rear bearing leak goes directly into the area packed tight with grease. Bathing the U joint with nice sticky (assuming you use real 600w) thick oil. Of course this will continue back to a bearing and the speedo gear.

Follow directions from Ford and keep it close to the way Ford engineered and you will have it last a long time.

1931 flamingo · 03-19-2012, 08:28 AM

Ck the full circumfrence of the housing. Somebody before you may have assembled it wrong.
Paul in CT

Steve Plucker · 03-19-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

Maybe this is DUMB, but I'm going to try it! "VERMIN," my '29 coupe. It was restored in 1987, sat for many years. I'm sure the u-joint is bone dry. While the floorboards are out, I will drill a 1/8" hole in trans. rear housing, squirt at least 1/2 bottle of 600 weight into the u-joint area to create a "puddle" for the joint to dip into. I THINK that, along with the small amount of oil that gets through the trans. rear bearing will keep it lubed. I'll plug the 1/8" hole with a dab of silicone rubber. Not suggesting you try that, but Ol' Bill's gonna' do his!! I don't have much faith in filling the WHOLE u-joint area with grease, as centrifugal force just "blows" the grease away from the u-joint! Bill W.

Surly you are joking with us

At least I hope so.

Pluck

Steve Plucker · 03-19-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colorado Greg

You don't grease a model A u-joint like a modern car. There is a zerk on the side of the housing that covers the u-joint, remove a bolt for the speedo housing and fill the entire cavity with grease until it comes out the bolt hole.

Greg...When did Ford put a "zerk on the side of the housing that covers the u-joint"?

I know there is one on the A-7085 Transmission main shaft bearing retainer but on the "housing that covers the u-joint"? That would be A-4520 U-joint housing cap--outer assembly and there was no zerk on those parts that I know of.

Of coarce A-7085 would be considered part of the housing I guess.

(I think that is what you meant to say)????

Pluck

Colorado Greg · 03-19-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

Greg...When did Ford put a "zerk on the side of the housing that covers the u-joint"?

I know there is one on the A-7085 Transmission main shaft bearing retainer but on the "housing that covers the u-joint"? That would be A-4520 U-joint housing cap--outer assembly and there was no zerk on those parts that I know of.

Of coarce A-7085 would be considered part of the housing I guess.

(I think that is what you meant to say)????

Pluck

Hey Steve, that is exactly what I meant. It takes all three pieces to create the housing for the u joint.

I found this pic from Jim Parker Toronto to show the actual zerk.

Ca. Kid · 03-19-2012, 02:41 PM

Problem solved, thanks Ford Barn.
The u-joint housing was installed 180 degrees off, putting the grease fitting under the transmission towers left shift rod boss. Since there wasn't room for a zerk someone installed a plug. I removed the trany tower and installed a zerk, filled the housing with grease, reinstalled the plug and transmission tower. Not a big job, but definitely a pita.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-19-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

Surly you are joking with us

At least I hope so.

Pluck

Steve,
Dead serious! Our club's biggest proponent of grease packing just wore out/broke his u-joint!
Several with grease have suffered the same fate.
I, personally, cannot see how grease could possibly get into the open end u-joint cups on the u-joint cross bearing surfaces. 600 weight in my "puddle," whirring around and "dipping," possibly has a "chance" of gettin' into the "right" places.
Yes, I might have some "dribble" from bell area for awhile???? But I can deal with that. Bill W.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-19-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've never seen a bearing retainer without the threaded hole for the grease zerk. Have you used a mirror or carefully felt all around the rear bearing retainer for the zerk, or the bump where the zerk fits.

Bill, I wouldn't drill a hole. For one thing it will put metal filings in the housing. If you pump in grease the U-joint will probably outlive most of us. Mystik JT-6 high temp is a very sticky grease, and I'd have no fear of it not giving the U-joint plenty of lubrication. Also if you don't have a sealed rear bearing some gear oil should find it's way back to the U-joint.

Tom,
Drillings?? NO problem, magnetize & coat the bit with grease, drill SLOWLY, through cast iron, (1/8" hole) ANY drillings inside would be miniscule, not NEARLY as serious as crap that some folks suck through their carbuerators on a daily basis! (HUMOR!) Bill W.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-19-2012, 06:45 PM

Bill, If you want 600 gear oil in the housing just fill the tool kit grease gun with the heavy gear oil and pump it in the original fitting.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-19-2012, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Bill, If you want 600 gear oil in the housing just fill the tool kit grease gun with the heavy gear oil and pump it in the original fitting.

Are we brothers? God! I was looking at housing pic & said to myself, "Self, your a dodo, you can pump the 600 weight through the dumb grease fitting!" Oil in the bell was to be a 1 shot deal. Car done in 1987, no written history, everything was empty except the engine oil, (very clean). Oiled trans & diff, changed motor oil, fired off like a click from a Bic! Drove it maybe 2 miles in the neighborhood, bad oil leak from missing lower timing gear bolt. Ripped everything external from engine to re-seal & regasket and modern head gasket. Engine rebuilt by reputable local rebuilder in '87, (his brass tag riveted on R/H side of block)
BEAUTIFUL inside, barely run before, wiped my hand in bottom of oil reservoir, and NO black!
Chief said, some guys can step in s**t and come out smellin' like a ROSE! (I did!) Almost ready to "FIRE UP" Pat's condition has slowed me down-------------Bill W.

03-18-2012, 09:39 PM	#1
Ca. Kid Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Andreas CA. Posts: 78	universal joint I recently bought a 1930 Murry 155C. When I was servicing it I found there is no grease fitting for the universal joint. Was this some aftermarket unit or what?

03-18-2012, 09:46 PM	#2
Colorado Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 241	Re: universal joint You don't grease a model A u-joint like a modern car. There is a zerk on the side of the housing that covers the u-joint, remove a bolt for the speedo housing and fill the entire cavity with grease until it comes out the bolt hole. __________________ "Betsy doesn't leak oil - she just marks her spot"

03-18-2012, 10:16 PM	#4
Ca. Kid Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Andreas CA. Posts: 78	Re: universal joint That's the problem, there is no grease fitting or zerk on the housing. My 31 has two fittings if I remember correctly.

03-18-2012, 10:21 PM	#5
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: universal joint You know I had the same problem with mine. Someone had purposely plugged the hole that the zero was in. Look for a similar cobble. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.

03-18-2012, 11:33 PM	#6
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: universal joint Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Go to my website and you will see the part for which has the grease fitting if it has not been pluged up as stated above. Pluck

03-19-2012, 01:52 AM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: universal joint Maybe this is DUMB, but I'm going to try it! "VERMIN," my '29 coupe. It was restored in 1987, sat for many years. I'm sure the u-joint is bone dry. While the floorboards are out, I will drill a 1/8" hole in trans. rear housing, squirt at least 1/2 bottle of 600 weight into the u-joint area to create a "puddle" for the joint to dip into. I THINK that, along with the small amount of oil that gets through the trans. rear bearing will keep it lubed. I'll plug the 1/8" hole with a dab of silicone rubber. Not suggesting you try that, but Ol' Bill's gonna' do his!! I don't have much faith in filling the WHOLE u-joint area with grease, as centrifugal force just "blows" the grease away from the u-joint! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-19-2012, 05:49 AM	#9
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: universal joint Keep in mind that the grease acts like a conduit for the oil that will leak out of the transmission. I know everyone wants to put the shielded (they are not sealed) bearings. This slows down the natural leaking of oil that helps to lube the U joint. If you look close at the tranny you will find the oil that leaks out of the front will drain back into the tranny. The rear bearing leak goes directly into the area packed tight with grease. Bathing the U joint with nice sticky (assuming you use real 600w) thick oil. Of course this will continue back to a bearing and the speedo gear. Follow directions from Ford and keep it close to the way Ford engineered and you will have it last a long time.

03-19-2012, 08:28 AM	#10
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: universal joint Ck the full circumfrence of the housing. Somebody before you may have assembled it wrong. Paul in CT

03-19-2012, 02:41 PM	#14
Ca. Kid Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Andreas CA. Posts: 78	Re: universal joint Problem solved, thanks Ford Barn. The u-joint housing was installed 180 degrees off, putting the grease fitting under the transmission towers left shift rod boss. Since there wasn't room for a zerk someone installed a plug. I removed the trany tower and installed a zerk, filled the housing with grease, reinstalled the plug and transmission tower. Not a big job, but definitely a pita.

03-19-2012, 06:45 PM	#17
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: universal joint Bill, If you want 600 gear oil in the housing just fill the tool kit grease gun with the heavy gear oil and pump it in the original fitting.