Front Axle Grease Nipples

[Johnny69]

Hi

Ive got 3 grease nipples on my 69 early bay fron axle. One in the middle and one either side on the lower beam.

Question is - is that all there is? How does the grease get up to the top part of the beam if the nipples are only on the bottom half of the beam?

Cheers

Johnny

 

[rallye dale]

Mines got them upper and lower , top ones are angled from memory

Have a look on heritages site of the exploded view

 

[sparkywig]

You pump enough grease into the beam that it starts coming out of the grease seals on the ends.
Count how many pumps that takes and remember that number for the next time so that you replace all the old grease.
You need to have the front wheels jacked off the floor when you great the beam as well.

 

[radish]

I've got loads of them at home, they are m8 and a m6 on the centre pin. I'll check what i have and pop them in the post.

 

[gr00veg0d]

Hi

Ive got 3 grease nipples on my 69 early bay fron axle. One in the middle and one either side on the lower beam.

Question is - is that all there is? How does the grease get up to the top part of the beam if the nipples are only on the bottom half of the beam?

Cheers

Johnny

I was wondering the very same thing - I only have three on my 70 bay and cannot find any holes on the upper beam for any more???

 

[Johnny69]

Found the ones on the upper beam.

They are near the end of the beams and stick out at an angle - mine were covered in grime and I thought they were just bits of rusty beam sticking out!!

They're definitely there if you have a look - unless they've snapped off in which case you'll need to buy a couple from a supplier - although they're cheap enough.

Cheers

Johnny

 

[gr00veg0d]

Bingo! Found em

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

Just reserectimg this thread. I am a virgin grease nippler!!!! So a few questions -

Will the end nipples just open and allow the old grease escape when I pump grease into the one in the centre of the beam or do I have to unsrew them?
Any particular spec of grease to use?
Any particular grease gun or grease gun fittings I should buy (being a virgin, I don't own one!)?
Do I have to jack the van up as I can get under mine as it is not lowered?

Was going to get this, so assume is as good as any? -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hilka-84800120-Manual-Grease-Gun/dp/B0018LFR4Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432450674&sr=8-2&keywords=hilka+grease+cartridge" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Go easy on me, its my first time greasing nipples ;-)

 

[Moseley]

The nipples have a spring-loaded ball bearing in them that will allow grease to flow into the beam when pressure is applied to them (via grease gun) and then close once pressure ceases. Unscrewing them is only needed if they want replacing.

Grease - Bentley recommend Castrol multipurpose grease, which can be bought many places. You may need a couple of tubs though.

Grease guns can either be cartridge (you buy the tubes pre-filled and slot them in) or the type where you pack them with a grease of choice. The fittings you get will be fine for the nipples on the bus. I always struggle with grease leaking out from around the nipple connection, not sure if that is down to the quality of the nipple itself?

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

Many thanks Moseley. So just to confirm jack up the van, connect the gun to the nipple in the centre of the beam and keep pumping until I see the old grease coming out of the nipples on each side/end of the beam?#

Sorry for the dumb questions, just never done it before!

 

[Moseley]

There are 5 on the beam in total - one at the end of each tube, and then the fifth on the steering pin housing.

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

Only seen 3 so far so I guess I have a bit more cleaning underneath to do!

 

[Zcat7]

To be clear, the grease doesn't come out of the nipples on each side... As described by Moseley they are spring load into a shut position and only allow grease in under pressure. The excess/old grease will push out from the variuos articulating joints such as steering pin or trailling arms.

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

That now makes sense, many thanks.

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

Just brought a jack and axle stands to do this. Where is the best jacking points and best place for the axle stands. Just worried these old buses can't take the strain of a single jack.

 

[Moseley]

I jack from the steering idler pin in the centre of the beam using some rubber to stop the jack from gouging any metal. Then axle stands either side as wide apart as you can get on the beam itself without hitting the grease nipples.

 

[Happystamps]

I jack from the steering idler pin in the centre of the beam using some rubber to stop the jack from gouging any metal. Then axle stands either side as wide apart as you can get on the beam itself without hitting the grease nipples.

Seconded!

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

At long last, I brought my jack and axle stands and going to give this a go today. One other dumb question from someone who has never don't this before, I assume as I have 5 grease nipples, there are 5 different grease seals where the old grease exits? I am sure this is all straight forward once you have done it once and not sure why I being so careful!!!! Also, found this guide on a Beetle which may help those people who come across this post in the future -
http://www.reluctantmechanic.com/step-by-step/vw_beetle_greasing_front_axle.php

 

[BRAD]

Just keep pumping the fresh grease into the nipple until you see it coming out from by the wheels, makes sure the vehicle is jacked up and the wheels are off the ground, you'll see all the old black grease coming out first, just keep pumping it in until you see nice fresh grease coming out, do this for each nipple, wipe off the stuff thats come out as you don't want it on your brakes, and job done.

 

[TakeLifeEasy]

OK, managed to get 2 done and then the grease gun died on me. Brought it new, but turned out to be a piece of junk. For someone who tries not to swesr much, the language coming out of my mouth trying to get this thing to pump grease out was pretty bad. Far more grease on me than in the van.
Anyways, got the hang of this and for those that have yet to do this (probably just me!) it is pretty easy as per instruction's above.
Right, I am now off to buy a good quality grease gun. Any recommendations?

Thanks for all the advice.