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grease in rear differental

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jim warren, May 22, 2012.

  1. jim warren

    jim warren Member

    I know this is an old topic regarding the use of grease in the rear diff-but. I filled the case with grease when I flushed out the old rear end that sat for 20 years. Now I am having second thoughts about the grease flinging off the gears, leaving them under lubricated. I've been told its not a good idea to use grease. Any thoughts?
     
  2. 80/90 wt. is what i've always used
     
  3. Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    I think this may be a new topic cause in all my 30 plus years as a mechanic I've never heard of anyone using grease in a differential. What would have been your reasoning for doing that?
     
  4. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    X2


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member


    X3
    Never heard of anyone putting grease in a differential.
     
  6. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    That will fail horribly... Go with proper 80W90 gear lube..

     
  7. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    My question is - what was the problem with using 80W/90?
     
  8. DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Thats a new one to me. My father has been in the auto repair business for 30 years and he's never heard of that.

    grease won't fling onto the pinion bearing like oil will. That negates the lubrication and cooling of the fast spinning pinion.
     
  9. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    It's unanimous. Get some oil in there before you do some serious damage.

    Sometimes grease is used in steering gears or front axle knuckles... but never in differentials AFAIK.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2012
  10. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    I seem to remember something about putting some grease into a diff to quiet it up when you are trying to sell a used vehicle and are less then trustworthy. I could be wrong.
     
  11. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Sawdust. Nice and quiet.
     
  12. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    Remind me to never byuy a car from you!
    :rofl:
     
  13. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Bananas too.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  14. jim warren

    jim warren Member

    ok- I only drove it a few miles. I removed the cover and everything seems well lubricated. Since my credibility is so deep in the hole, I am likely asking another dumb question. I ve scraped out most of the grease, do I need to remove ALL of the grease? I don't know why I put the grease in. I know better. Thanks
     
  15. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    You need to get as much out as possible. I would recommend washing it out with a solvent, letting it dry and then buttoning it up.
     
  16. DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    I would run it with the oil for a few miles and then change it out for fresh oil. the oil should wash out the grease. Might have to do that 2x.

    Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2
     
  17. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Which is cheaper, paint thinner or an extra change of gear oil? I'd expect that either method would work.
     
  18. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Nanners? really? Never heard of that. But, yea, I'd say rinse it out with a solvent.
     
  19. Pack Rat

    Pack Rat Old Timer

    It's the potassium.
     
  20. theotherjmmy

    theotherjmmy Member

    A long time ago I read of some guys putting bananas in a rear end in an emergency-it was a Land Rover in Africa somewhere IIRC.