Newbie Synthetic NLGI #2

[67ghiaTIV]

Just bought a 1987 Toyota 4runner and I am trying to getting it ready to be a daily driver. My manual calls for NLGI #2 Lithium chassis grease for the Spiders and Sliding Yokes. The manual also calls for NLGI #2 Moly chassis grease for the front drive shaft thrust bushings and the Double Cardan Joint.

Is this manual outdated? I went to three Auto Parts stores and could not find Lithium grease. The guys behind the counter said to just use a Synthetic rated for NLGI #2 that is general purpose. I ended up buying Quaker State Full Synthetic Multi-purpose grease.

Will this be okay?

Thanks,
Jamie
( I am continuing to read about grease but was hoping to have the 4runner greased all ready)

 

[lipadj46]

That is fine just make sure you push out all the old grease as it will not be compatible (most likely) with the new synthetic grease that is in there now. I'm surprised you could not find regular old Lithium #2 grease though. Make sure you get new grease to come out of all 4 ends of the u-joints.

 

[Ken2]

The doofuses in the auto parts store know nothing. I'll bet that just about every grease they sell is lithium or lithium complex base grease.

Grease has four parts:
Base or thickener...this is a chemical "soap" that is something like a sponge. It holds the oil that does the actual lubrication. Lithium and lithium complex are the most common thickeners.

Oil...it can be conventional oil, or synthetic oil, or a blend of the two.

Solid additives...molybdenum disulphide, graphite, Teflon (OK in grease, no-no in engine oil)

Other stuff...tackifiers, dye, extreme pressure agents, etc.

NLGI #2 means National Lubricating Grease Institute (no connection to the National Frying Grease Institute), and #2 consistency...#3 is thicker, #1 is thinner, #0000 is nearly liquid.

So...whether the grease has synthetic oil or not means nothing to the base. Read the tubes. You'll find that most tell you what the base (thickener) is made of, and most of those will be lithium or lithium complex.

Many of us use moly grease in all the grease fittings on our Toyotas with good results. You can use the two types if you wish, no problem.

 

[PDMc]

I just gotta bump that really good answer!

I've been scratching my head about that particular aspect of my Tacoma shop manual since 1998! I suppose if you had a shop and did lots of Toyotas you might save a buck by using the cheaper grease in the fittings that don't specifically call for "moly"(?)

Sorry, I'm a newb here too so I may just be showing my ignorance but...
Is there any conceivable scenario where you could cause any kind of damage by using a moly in a fitting that does not specifically call for the additive?

 

[MonumentOiler]

Pros/cons of moly in wheel bearings?