CV Joint For Grease Trimmer Reducer

Sometimes, in the midst of intense grass mowing operations, your trimmer begins to make unpleasant, grinding sounds. This complains about the lack of lubrication of the gearbox – the most intensively loaded unit of the device. And soon, these “warnings” may be followed by jamming of the drive …

What grease should be used for the trimmer gearbox?

In the process, the mechanical part of the trimmer is loaded with contact forces on the teeth, resistance reactions from adhering grass (sometimes with dirt), dynamic, impact loads due to constantly changing torque. The grease for the trimmer gear must fully take into account these features, so the selection of the brand must be strictly individual.

The following factors are taken into account:

1. Brand of the manufacturer. Each brand is not unreasonably oriented on lubricants of its own manufacture (you can talk about cheap Chinese products later). This applies to manufacturers such as Husqvarna, Stihl, Huter, Makita, etc. The exception is domestic trimmers: for example, Caliber in the user manual does not indicate the brand of lubricant at all …
2. The viscosity of the lubricant. As you know, all lubricating compounds are divided into three groups – highly viscous (colloidal systems containing various additives), plastic compounds of universal use and solid lubricants that soften during operation.
3. Good adhesion to the surface of the gearbox parts, as a result of which the grease is not squeezed out into the gaps or out of the assembly.
4. Gearbox lubricant consumption rate. Here you have to rely on your own experience and the recommendations of specialists, since some trimmer manufacturers, relying on the availability of their own service centers, generally do not give clear recommendations regarding the period of operation of the gearbox between two lubrications.

The lubricant consumption also depends on the temperature at which it retains its lubricity. When the gearbox is heated to 40 ° C, it is considered that its operating conditions are satisfactory, and there is enough lubrication.

It is believed that there is no universal lubricant for the trimmer gear, but this is not entirely true. In fact, a suitable lubricant will be one in which the following components are present:

• Anti-wear additives containing no toxic lead;
• Solid lubricants with the presence of graphite or molybdenum disulfide (the latter is preferable, since the lubricity is fully preserved for a wide range of shaft revolutions);
• Only mineral (inorganic!) Oils with a high degree of purification.

These requirements are fully met by Gear Grease OREGON or Champion EP-0 lithium greases, domestic compositions Oleo-Mas, Litol.24, or Azmol 158, as well as those recommended by the manufacturer of a particular trimmer model.

How to lubricate the trimmer gear?

In the upper part of the housing, where the gear block is installed, there is a technological hole, which, when the trimmer is operated, is plugged with a screw. This screw is unscrewed, and 1.5 … 2 ml of grease is introduced into the hole using the nozzle on the tube. If the lubricant was purchased in a different packaging, then for this operation, a regular disposable medical syringe is also suitable.

After that, the screw is installed in its original place. This procedure, regardless of the user’s recommendations, should be performed every 10 … 15 hours of operation of the trimmer in operating mode. Other reasons for updating or replacing the gearbox lubricant are independent minor maintenance work (for example, cleaning and washing the gearbox gear before the summer season), repair of the unit, preservation of the trimmer for the winter period, etc.

If the gear unit is disassembled, it is recommended to completely remove the remains of the previous grease from the surface of the parts, even if it does not have any signs of oxidation and contamination. And only then apply new grease. After applying the lubricant, it is recommended to turn the shaft manually several times, and make sure that the lubricant is evenly distributed over all parts of the gearbox.

When lubricating, special attention is paid to the following elements:

1. Flywheel: on its surface, as a rule, the remnants of grass adhere intensively, and thickened grass juice creates additional resistance.
2. The starter coil dog, which is constantly in contact with the grooves on the flywheel when the drive is turned on. In this case, not only mechanical wear occurs, but also mechanochemical corrosion of the flywheel-dog joint, since the materials for this pair are different (the flywheel is aluminum and the dog is steel).
3. Bearings, if their seals are worn, and through them the grease is squeezed out. In this case, the unit begins to vibrate intensively when loaded. This happens with Chinese-made trimmers, so it’s worthwhile in the future to think about replacing the bearing assembly with a better one, for example, from the Swedish company SKF.

The operation of the joint of equal angular speeds (or, as people say, grenades) is very important for the operation of a front-wheel drive car. Thanks to this element, torque can be transmitted from the transmission to the wheels. At the same time, the element is subject to quite serious loads, so for its normal operation requires regular maintenance of the part. We’ll talk about which lubricant for CV joints is better.

What is lubricant for?

Any competent motorist understands what lubrication is for. With its help, premature wear of metal elements that are subject to friction is prevented. In addition, such a substance can reduce the load on the components, give them the ability to rotate freely.

Grease for CV joints also performs a number of other important functions. Thanks to it, you can greatly reduce fuel consumption, as well as reduce transmission losses of the machine. In addition, such a substance can prevent the occurrence of corrosion (namely, rust, mainly, is the cause of failure of CV joints).

If you are thinking about what grease can be replaced with, then you should choose substances that sparingly relate to organics and synthetic polymers. Indeed, for additional protection of this unit from external influences, anthers made of plastic or rubber are used. It is important that the grease does not dissolve such materials.

Video: CV Joint For Grease Trimmer Reducer

Key lubrication characteristics

Based on the lubrication tasks for the tripod and other types of CV joints, the characteristics that such a substance should possess are also obtained:

• Wide temperature range. Thanks to this, the unit will work normally in any temperature conditions. It is also worth remembering that inside the node the temperature reaches 100 or more degrees Celsius;
• High level of adhesion (assumes good adhesion to the surface). Simply put, the grease should be sticky, stick to the surface of the node;
• High extreme pressure properties. As a result, the substance will be able to ensure normal sliding of the element over a long period;
• Mechanical and physico-chemical stability of the composition. It is important that the lubricant maintains its effectiveness, regardless of the external environment.

Next video about the choice of lubricant for SHRUS:

The main types of lubricants

At the moment, there is a fairly large selection of lubricants for CV joints, which differ in their composition. They can also vary in their efficiency, price and features of operation. Now we will talk in more detail about all popular types of lubricants.

Lithium

They arose almost immediately after the CV joints themselves. As a result, such a substance is in good demand.

The composition is based on lithium solution and organic acid. As a result, a yellowish viscous substance is obtained, which thickens with decreasing temperature, so it will be much more difficult to smear it in winter. With the help of compositions of this type, loads on drive elements can be reduced a couple of dozen times.

At the same time, the high conservation properties of the substance are pleasing. It prevents dust, dirt, moisture and other elements from penetrating the metal elements. At the same time, such compounds are very aggressive, so they can dissolve anthers. Read the manual for your car. It indicates whether lithium is acceptable for lubricating joints.

Recently, greases of this type have become somewhat less popular, giving way to more innovative options. At the same time, they can still be found in the market. The most popular options now are XADO, Very Lube and RENOLIT.

Molybdenum

A more progressive version, which is done all with the same lithium soap, only now the additive is molybdenum disulfide. Lubricating properties are the same as in the previous version. At the same time, molybdenum compounds differ in one important advantage – they have high anticorrosive properties.

The use of metal salts in the composition of salts helped to achieve this, which replaced some acids. In addition, the substance is completely safe for rubber and plastic elements, so that it does not lead to premature wear of the boot.

Of the minuses of such a substance, it is worth highlighting low resistance to moisture. As a result, if even a little water gets under the duster, due to certain chemical reactions, the composition turns into an abrasive. This only contributes to friction, which leads to a number of breakdowns of the CV joint. To prevent this situation, you must regularly check the site.

Among the most popular options available in our country, it is worth highlighting SHRUS-4 and LM47 lubricants.

Barium

Recently, such a CV joint grease is in increasing demand in the market. The progressive composition allows you to extend the life of the hinge, as well as protect it from a number of negative influences. The main advantage here is that the substance is completely not afraid of moisture.

Thus, if anther rupture occurs, there is no need to change the substance. In addition, the grease perfectly resists corrosion, and is also suitable for use even in fairly aggressive conditions. The composition is chemically neutral, so that the anthers will not be damaged, regardless of the material of the seals.

The main disadvantage of such a substance is its relatively high price, which is due to the complexity of the production process. We produce only ShRB-4 grease, everything else has to be purchased in other countries.

At the same time, the latter option is even more expensive. As another drawback of this composition, it is worth highlighting its inability to withstand low temperatures.

What lubricants should not be used

There are also a number of compounds, the use of which is not recommended. In particular, it is worth highlighting such varieties of compositions:

• Graphite. Such substances are suitable as a lubricant for bearings and a number of other elements in electric motors. The use of graphite grease on CV joints is impractical, as this will lead to breakage of the assembly after 20-25 thousand kilometers. In addition, low-quality substances are often added to such compositions, which only further accelerate the wear of moving parts;
• Hydrocarbon (including technical petroleum jelly). Yes, such compounds prevent the penetration of moisture, and also inhibit the development of corrosion. At the same time, when the temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius, the substance will begin to break down. Since the temperature in the SHRUS is an order of magnitude higher, the use of hydrocarbon compounds over time will lead to deformation of the assembly;
• Greases that are made from calcium or sodium. They are suitable for bearings and a number of other movable joints, but in the case of SHRUS they show complete disability, and also contribute to the development of corrosion. Already after 15-30 thousand kilometers, metal elements can completely fail;
• Zinc. Such compositions, as well as substances based on iron, are completely contraindicated as a lubricant for transmission, since they lead to a deterioration in its functional characteristics, as well as complete failure.

Best CV joint lubricant

Below we have prepared for you a short list of the best substances that are perfect for lubricating the hinge in your vehicle. At the same time, before applying the composition, you should familiarize yourself with whether it is specifically suitable for your car.

SHRUS-4

The domestic model, which has become widespread in our country. Belongs to the category of lithium mineral lubricants. The temperature regime here reaches from 40 to 120 degrees. The cost is quite low.

RAVENOL Mehrzweckfett mit MoS-2

This product is manufactured for us in factories located in Germany. The basis of the composition is molybdenum disulfide. The operation of the substance is shown at a temperature of 30-120 degrees.

The composition is resistant to moisture, including salt water. The cost is 2-3 times higher than in the case of domestic counterparts, but here you pay for quality.

Products are manufactured in Ukraine. The option is of good quality and reasonably affordable price. First of all, models are used to protect external CV joints.

There is no molybdenum disulfide in the composition, but there are revitalizants – substances that significantly slow down the wear and deformation of not only the hinge itself, but also a number of other components and mechanisms. The grease can withstand temperatures from 30 to 140-150 degrees

STEP UP

The lithium composition demonstrates excellent performance (it can be used at temperatures of 40-250 degrees). The American tool is suitable for lubricating both external and internal CV joints. At the same time, the cost here is very affordable.

SHRUS MS X5

Another domestic lubricant SHRUS. It has a black color. As a thickener, lithium soap is used. Even in case of anther rupture, the substance will not leak. The working range is between 40-120 degrees. The cost is quite low, which is the main advantage of the composition.

How to replace grease

When the question of how to replace the grease is resolved, you should think about how to perform this process. It is worth noting that the procedure is notable for its simplicity, so that even the most inexperienced drivers can easily cope with all this.

It is only important to follow the following points:

• Disassemble the case. Quite often, two retaining rings are used to fasten it. To remove them, you will have to use a flat screwdriver;
• Dismantle the boot and seals. It is very important to check the integrity of these elements. In case of visible damage, it is necessary to purchase a new element;
• We get the internal parts, after which we perform their complete disassembly;
• Wash all elements with gasoline or solvent. This will help remove old grease.

It is also important to clean the inner walls of the housing from the substance:

• Put a little grease in a glass;
• Put the tripod on the axis in its place;
• Report more substances. It is important to do this evenly to fill the case as much as possible;
• We are assembling the node.

How often to change grease

In addition, if the vehicle has not been used for 9 months, or rarely used for 18 months, it is also recommended that the substance be replaced. At the same time, in some cases, the composition must be prematurely replaced, so it is sometimes worth checking the condition of the lubricant.

We strongly recommend that you replace the CV joint lubricant regularly, following the instructions and rules established by the vehicle manufacturer. Remember that the cost of such a procedure will be much lower than repairing or replacing the hinge itself. As for the choice of substance, the modern market offers a fairly large assortment of lubricants. There is no need to save and buy the cheapest substances. Better trust trusted manufacturers. Moreover, the difference in price will be relatively small.

Next video about the best lubricant for SHRUS: