[tsk1979]

The Safari service manual recommends hub greasing every 30,000kms or so(more frequent if you are water fording).
This is a simple procedure. You remove the hub, remove old grease and put in new one.

However, a recent front suspension job revealed that the Safari's axle boot had a minor leak with some grease leaking out.

The grease is black, and very thin.
I got the axle boot changed, and new grease filled. This vehicle has done almost 6 years and 105000+ kms.

The service manual does not talk about axle greasing I think.
Is there a life limit to this grease. The goo which came out was pretty thin and black.

Since CV joints(which are lubricated by this stuff) are expensive, do you think its a good idea to get both axles opened up, old grease removed, and new one filled? Or am I being overly paranoid.

[roy_libran]

I know the use case is a bit different, but on my Gurkha I get the CV joint grease replaced and replenished after every 10000 kms or even earlier, in case the Axle boot has torn off. The CV joints are precision engineered and expensive, so no point taking any risk there.

All other greasing, I get done every 2 months which is like every 2-3000 kms.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

I know the use case is a bit different, but on my Gurkha I get the CV joint grease replaced and replenished after every 10000 kms or even earlier, in case the Axle boot has torn off. The CV joints are precision engineered and expensive, so no point taking any risk there.

All other greasing, I get done every 2 months which is like every 2-3000 kms.

Thanks. So I am going to get it replaced.
LHS boot was torn, so I replaced the grease.
Soon the vehicle will go for service, I will ask them to completely remove the old grease, and fill in new grease.
As per my limited understanding, the grease for Axle's is different from other grease(normal hub grease), such that it melts under heat and acts more like lubricating oil.
If you can recommend brand names for such grease, I will procure that and instruct the service center to use this special grease.

[roy_libran]

^^I'm not sure about that last bit - I just use Castrol Long Life all around. I use different Lube for my Axles and Diffs, that's it.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

^^I'm not sure about that last bit - I just use Castrol Long Life all around. I use different Lube for my Axles and Diffs, that's it.

I don't think we should use normal grease in axles, esp where water contamination can happen.
Correct grease (eg lithium or aluminum) needs to be used
Secondly, two types of grease should not be mixed - See compatibility chart
http://www.lubecontrol.com.au/wp-con...lity-Chart.pdf


From whatever research I did, it is mentioned that for axles, a special grease is needed which goes liquid under heat like a thick engine oil to provide proper lubrication. Ordinary grease does not do that

I saw this link too
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-axle-grease.htm

Also see this
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-grease.aspx

Most western sites recommend different grease for bearings and different for chasis(eg bush lubrication)

Unfortunately, what I see is that here, its one size fits all. I think it would have adverse effect in the long term(eg 150,000kms or so)

BTW, I went through my owners manual again, and this is what I found.
There is recommendation of atleast 3 different types of grease. I doubt most service centers have all of these.

[roy_libran]

^ Thanks for sharing that. I never mix greases - I just use different lubricating oils for different places. The grease is the same all around.

About 7-8000 kms back, I got my front axles completely dismantled and serviced, and everything looked brand new. There were no signs of any wear, so I'm not sure if the grease I'm using is doing any wrong.
Moreover, I stick to a shorter greasing interval, so maybe that has helped me inadvertently.

What as per you would be the correct Axle grease to use, that is also easily available in Delhi?

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by roy_libran

^ Thanks for sharing that. I never mix greases - I just use different lubricating oils for different places. The grease is the same all around.

About 7-8000 kms back, I got my front axles completely dismantled and serviced, and everything looked brand new. There were no signs of any wear, so I'm not sure if the grease I'm using is doing any wrong.
Moreover, I stick to a shorter greasing interval, so maybe that has helped me inadvertently.

What as per you would be the correct Axle grease to use, that is also easily available in Delhi?

I think you are using the correct grease. I checked product sheet and Castrol MP is a lithium based grease. This for high temp applications. However, for wheel bearings, they recommend some other grease, but I guess Catrol MP should do as its multi purpose.
I am wondering, can you use the synthetic grease instead, as its rated higher?

We need a grease monkey to answer all the questions

[Ahmed]

WOW ! Some serious knowledge going around here. I NEVER thought this was required. Thanks for the information tsk1979. I really want to know if there is anything needed around Fortuner. Guderian... Your inputs here please.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Ahmed

WOW ! Some serious knowledge going around here. I NEVER thought this was required. Thanks for the information tsk1979. I really want to know if there is anything needed around Fortuner. Guderian... Your inputs here please.

Ahmed. I am sure your owners manual will carry specifications of grease and all oils etc., The information is always there, but most of the time its buried, or not presented in a very easy way.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Ahmed

WOW ! Some serious knowledge going around here. I NEVER thought this was required. Thanks for the information tsk1979. I really want to know if there is anything needed around Fortuner. Guderian... Your inputs here please.

Hi Ahmed,
No such recommendation by Toyota in the Fortuner manual. Could be because of the design and/or constant bathing of the bearing by a secondary lubricant perhaps.
The Scorpio needed front wheel bearing grease change every 25K KMs IIRC.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Hi Ahmed,
No such recommendation by Toyota in the Fortuner manual. Could be because of the design and/or constant bathing of the bearing by a secondary lubricant perhaps.
The Scorpio needed front wheel bearing grease change every 25K KMs IIRC.

PS:
Confirmed it with the Toyota ASC's Head Techie.
The Fortuner has what is called 'Dry'or 'Sealed' bearing which has packed in it real long life grease and hence the bearings/hub doesn't require periodic greasing unlike say the Toyota Qualis.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by Guderian

PS:
Confirmed it with the Toyota ASC's Head Techie.
The Fortuner has what is called 'Dry'or 'Sealed' bearing which has packed in it real long life grease and hence the bearings/hub doesn't require periodic greasing unlike say the Toyota Qualis.

What about the "axle". Can you look at your front Axle (where it goes into CV joint) and see if there is a rubber boot there.
If there is a rubber boot there, its gonna leak some day.

[Virtualaman]

Hello friends,

I have an 2013 Hyundai i20 Magna (O) petrol run around 55,000 KM and used about 500 Km a month for short distances.

Recently in the last scheduled service at Hyundai Service Centre, the Service Advisor pointed out an issue related to grease leakage from both right and left axles as per the below pictures:





The SA advised to have both axles replaced at a cost of Rs 12,000 each for a total of Rs 24,000. He said that it might be cheaper to have an outside mechanic "repair" these for a lower cost.

Unfortunately, I don't know any reliable mechanics in my area that do this type of axle work (Thane city in Mumbai).

I am looking for opinions on whether I should have them replaced at Hyundai or repaired via an outside mechanic looking at the above pics?

Any suggestions or pointers would be extremely helpful on the next steps! Thanks!

[roy_libran]

Originally Posted by Virtualaman

Hello friends,

I am looking for opinions on whether I should have them replaced at Hyundai or repaired via an outside mechanic looking at the above pics?

Any suggestions or pointers would be extremely helpful on the next steps! Thanks!

It's just a leaking boot. Most roadside axle/suspension mechanics would do this in a jiffy. Just make sure that the entire assembly is dismantled, meticulously cleaned, fresh rubbers (always ) and repack with fresh grease. That's all.
However, once you open it up if you see any pitting or signs of damage best to replace whole assembly as per hyundai's original suggestion.

[Virtualaman]

Happy to report that I've got these repaired at a small trusted garage

Both boots replaced for a total cost of Rs 2000.

Now let's see how well they last over time.

Thanks for the inputs!