GMC Sonoma – Chassis Lube Question
Question:
> PYATS. > Some kid I went to school with thought a grease job was putting grease > on the fittings themselves.
That’s a good one 
> Harryface > ( Who’s 68 Buick had grease fittings on the u joints & Center bearing > support )
Those were some heavy drive shafts… and expensive, too.
Response:
> You don’t. Some u-joints (particularly aftermarket ones) have drilled holes > in > the center which cross and go to each spoke of the joint. There’s a grease > fitting > in the center which you can pump grease into, the grease goes out the > drilled holes > lubes the needle bearings in each spoke. > The only problem with this scheme is that the grease passages make the > u-joint weaker.
Hmmm. Gonna have to look at that one more closely. Anyhoo, what about the propshaft splines? Where are they, and how do I lubricate them? Mike Doerner
Response:
PYATS. Some kid I went to school with thought a grease job was putting grease on the fittings themselves. Harryface ( Who’s 68 Buick had grease fittings on the u joints & Center bearing support ) Presently cruising in ~_~_~_>> 4. 1991 Pontiac Bonneville, 229,000 miles 1. 1973 Chevy Impala 4 door, 1980 – 83 2. 1968 Buick LeSabre Convertible, 1983-86 3. 1978 Olds Holiday 88, 1986 -91 5. 1989 Chevy Cavalier Z- 24 Convertible, 1996 to 2000
Response:
"Michael R. Doerner" wrote > If there is, I didn’t see one. Can anyone enlighten me?
If you have a one piece rear drive shaft, then no…you won’t have any grease nipples. Sometimes it’s not a bad idea to lubricate the slip yoke then goes into the rear of the trans/transfer case (depending on whether it’s a 2 or 4 wheel drive) and GM has a special lubricant for this purpose. Believe it or not, it’s called GM Special Lubricant. A lot of the full size trucks have a problem with the slip yoke hanging up on the splines of the output shafts causing a funny little bump that you feel when coming to a stop and/or starting off at a light. We used to fix this with the lubricant, but GM has now come out with a change up yoke that is "nickle plated". This only applies to certain models. If you have a two piece drive shaft, the rear drive shaft will have a grease nipple on the side of the slip yoke. None of the u-joints have grease nipples anymore. Ian
Response:
>> > I would hope there is a grease fitting on the driveshaft and U joints. > If there is, I didn’t see one. Can anyone enlighten me? > Mike Doerner >Harry was probably wondering how & why one would smear grease >on U-joints? I’m kind of wondering the same thing.
You don’t. Some u-joints (particularly aftermarket ones) have drilled holes in the center which cross and go to each spoke of the joint. There’s a grease fitting in the center which you can pump grease into, the grease goes out the drilled holes lubes the needle bearings in each spoke. The only problem with this scheme is that the grease passages make the u-joint weaker. —
Response:
I would hope there is a grease fitting on the driveshaft and U joints. H
Response:
> I would hope there is a grease fitting on the driveshaft and U joints. > H
If there is, I didn’t see one. Can anyone enlighten me? Mike Doerner
Response:
> > I would hope there is a grease fitting on the driveshaft and U joints. > If there is, I didn’t see one. Can anyone enlighten me? > Mike Doerner
Harry was probably wondering how & why one would smear grease on U-joints? I’m kind of wondering the same thing.
Response:
The manual describes the various areas that require lubrication on my 2001 GMC Sonoma, The U-Joints, paking brake cable guides, steering, etc.. And the propshaft splines. My questions are. 1.) Where/What are the propshaft splines? Is this on the main driveshaft? Or is the for the front axle? 2.) What is the proper way to lubricate them? Is there a grease fitting, or do I smear it on like the u-joints? Thanks. Mike Doerner
