OK then:
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTL
They are shipped ready to install. But unfortunately the grease they use is cheap crap. This is going to sound stupid but here goes anyway. I would suggest pulling back the boots (or remove the inner CV) and clean out the grease so you can replace it with a high quality synthetic grease that will last. The reason most CVs fail is inadequate lubrication and that's primarily on account of the quality of grease. Use a high quality synthetic grease from the start and you'll not have to mess with them again for a long long time.
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Crap. Cleaning off cheapo stuff and repacking with synthetic no fun. No this doesn't sound crazy, it makes more sense than "not enough" as basis for rumor about not just installing straight out of box.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG
Master KTL , answered 
I did not know that GKN also used crappy grease, oh the joy, guess what I am going to do next week  |
Assume we will need to use either a new oetiker clamp, or, whatever the original boot clamp type installed is, maybe they will be reusable (not holding breath on that).
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTL
Well my experiences are limited just hearing what others say and the handful of axle services i've done. But I feel like my beliefs are justified since one of the packets of grease I received in a recent GKN boot kit purchase leaked out and got the box all oily. My point is that if the grease got oily, it's likely an economy petroleum grease that can separate pretty easy. Good synthetic greases remain a uniform goop and don't separate. Plus they're just simply better at lubricating long term, just like most synthetic oils.
But this is all probably overkill since it'll take another 20+ years for the axles to wear out? I dunno. Maybe it's my pessimistic view of today's quality in everything. The original axles were built with better boots and better grease and were actually brand new parts. Whereas stuff made today is all about the bottom line, remanufactured and mediocre quality at best. We've seen new steering rack boots split within a few years, new CV boots split within a year, new rocker arms fall apart (follower pad), crappy quality of engine valves, shoddy engine bearing shells, crappy gaskets......... The list goes on. What a shame.  |
Good enough for me, and it jives with this: my mechanic (Jae Lee at Mirage) has ALWAYS given me packets of quality synthetic grease, wherever I'd bought replacement Löbro 100mm CVJs in past, along with a disparaging comment about the stuff that comes with them... more circumstantial evidence.
Quote:
Originally Posted by uwanna
Barry,
I have replaced 100mm trans output flanges with 108mm several times, never drained the oil. I believe the static oil level is below the flange seal. In any case, I never lost any oil!
As to the flange seals, if yours are not leaking now, I don't think they will leak with the new flanges, at least mine didn't. YMMV
Good luck, and you are doing a great upgrade! No more loose CV allen bolts with
the 10mm bolts vs the old 8mm.
Regards,
Grant
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I like that answer re not draining oil, and giving it a shot with existing seals (g/b rebuilt 1 year ago). No leaks at present, and not so messy to go back in with the 108 axle design if seal(s) leaked, anyway.
I’ve given up on finding/catching a new/used pair of the gryphon snot 85.5 thru 86 flanges, for reasonable $, but
just recently discovered in a thread here that if you machine a few mm off the spline ends of the 87-05 joint (drive/diff) flanges (950 332 209 01), they fit and work fine. I found a used pair for $200 inc shipping, and have an expert machinist buddy. Can't find exactly how much to take off posted anywhere, other than "match length to the 100mm flange", so will do that, using the outgoing 100mm flange shaft/step/seal dimensions.
Biggest problem I had, since installing the 3.6, was not so much the 8mm bolts loosening (new bolts & hex bit most every time, and using the thick-flange boots seemed to stop that), it was the CVJs wearing out, even with the good grease, about as often as the rear tires (265 [Kuhmo XS RIP], or now 245 RE11's). I sucked myself into changing the 100mm CVJs out four times in some three years, on basis it was an easy job, instead of going to the 108mm axle in the first place. Live & learn. But, duh!
Thank you everyone. This site is such an amazing resource. Would never have even considered the 3.6 conversion without all the experience and wisdom here.