Tripod CV joint specific / compatible grease?

[inquirer]

I’m currently looking for grease that is either specific for tripod CV joints or at least compatible with them. For one of my drive-shaft axles, I used Seiken UG150, but the shop where I bought it only had a single bottle left and they’ve told me the distributor is out of stock. There’s even a chance Seiken has discontinued it, because I can’t find it listed on their website anymore.

Are there any compatible alternatives from companies that have a presence in Europe, for example Liqui Moly?

So far the only tripod specific grease I have found is GKN Tripod grease, but it comes in a relatively large cartridge (much more than I need for one application), it’s expensive and (as far as I can tell) it’s not stocked in Greece, so ordering it from abroad would add more cost.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

It seems to be listed on this page

 

[Marcozi]

Try this: https://www.redlineoil.com/cv-2-grease

 

[inquirer]

It seems to be listed on this page

Indeed! Here's the English version: https://www.seiken.com/e-parts

Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable, and the distributor expects to import a new stock next year. In the meantime, I still need an alternative.

Try this: https://www.redlineoil.com/cv-2-grease

Here's the catch: Tripod specific greases do not have Moly as an additive.

 

[Marcozi]

Indeed! Here's the English version: https://www.seiken.com/e-parts

Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable, and the distributor expects to import a new stock next year. In the meantime, I still need an alternative.



Here's the catch: Tripod specific greases do not have Moly as an additive.

Good to know!

 

[inquirer]

Good to know!

Yeah, the problem is that they’re hard to find…

 

[RDMgr]

Indeed! Here's the English version: https://www.seiken.com/e-parts

Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable, and the distributor expects to import a new stock next year. In the meantime, I still need an alternative.



Here's the catch: Tripod specific greases do not have Moly as an additive.

Red Line CV-2 contains an organic molybdenum compound for wear control and friction modification. I don't think it contains molybdenum disulfide which would give the grease a distinct gray color. I think the RL CV-2 is red.

 

[Devo242]

Older thread here talks a bit about it, hope this helps:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/redline-cv-grease-for-tripod-joints.339404

 

[inquirer]

Red Line CV-2 contains an organic molybdenum compound for wear control and friction modification. I don't think it contains molybdenum disulfide which would give the grease a distinct gray color. I think the RL CV-2 is red.

Are you sure that what they call red moly isn't a product with similar properties that are not friendly to tripod joints?

Older thread here talks a bit about it, hope this helps:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/redline-cv-grease-for-tripod-joints.339404

Yes. The CV-2 grease is an NLGI2 grease, which is thick for this specific application. So, it's not compatible regardless if red moly is considered safe for tripod joints or not.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Indeed! Here's the English version: https://www.seiken.com/e-parts

Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable, and the distributor expects to import a new stock next year. In the meantime, I still need an alternative.



Here's the catch: Tripod specific greases do not have Moly as an additive.

The get the GKN grease. It says it's good for 4 joints (2 cars), if you ever need to do inner CV joints again, or if you know someone who does

 

[inquirer]

The get the GKN grease. It says it's good for 4 joints (2 cars), if you ever need to do inner CV joints again, or if you know someone who does

As a last resort. I'm afraid it's also not readily available in Greece.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

As a last resort. I'm afraid it's also not readily available in Greece.

Possibly, it might be cheaper to buy any GKN/Spidan/Lobro inner CV boot kit for some car's tripod inner joint and just use the grease packet that comes with it, then just toss the boot itself.

 

[inquirer]

Possibly, it might be cheaper to buy any GKN/Spidan/Lobro inner CV boot kit for some car's tripod inner joint and just use the grease packet that comes with it, then just toss the boot itself.

Wow, I was thinking the exact same thing right now! I'm not sure the sachets mention the specs or the commercial name of the grease, but I guess it's easy to see if it's the right grease by its viscosity, maybe by its color too.

 

[RDMgr]

Are you sure that what they call red moly isn't a product with similar properties that are not friendly to tripod joints?


Yes. The CV-2 grease is an NLGI2 grease, which is thick for this specific application. So, it's not compatible regardless if red moly is considered safe for tripod joints or not.

You may be right. I was thinking of one of several molybdenum containing liquid friction modifiers/anti-wear additives. There is a molybdenum-sulfur friction modifier/anti-wear additive that is a bright yellow powder. When I looked further, this material is listed in the CV-2 SDSs so it is public information. I think the red color is just dyed grease.

Since the molybdenum additive is a solid, I would ask Redline if the CV-2 is suitable for tripod joints. Tripod joints don't seem to be specifically listed on the grease's label or other literature.

 

[inquirer]

You may be right. I was thinking of one of several molybdenum containing liquid friction modifiers/anti-wear additives. There is a molybdenum-sulfur friction modifier/anti-wear additive that is a bright yellow powder. When I looked further, this material is listed in the CV-2 SDSs so it is public information. I think the red color is just dyed grease.

Since the molybdenum additive is a solid, I would ask Redline if the CV-2 is suitable for tripod joints. Tripod joints don't seem to be specifically listed on the grease's label or other literature.

As an NLGI 2 grease is anyway unsuitable.

 

[nthach]

The Japanese use a semi-fluid, moly-free grease. Supposedly, Red Line and Schaeffers says the organic moly they use is OK for roller bearings.

Doesn’t GKN make a racing CV joint grease in a caulking gun cartridge?

 

[inquirer]

The Japanese use a semi-fluid, moly-free grease. Supposedly, Red Line and Schaeffers says the organic moly they use is OK for roller bearings.

Doesn’t GKN make a racing CV joint grease in a caulking gun cartridge?

Yes, I shared a link for the GKN tripod grease, but it’s not readily available in Greece, it’s expensive, and ordering it from abroad will increase the cost even further.

The Red Line CV-2 is an NLGI 2 grease, so even if the moly they use is fully compatible, its thickness is still not appropriate.

What I’ll probably do is order a random GKN boot for the inner side of an axle, since it includes a sachet of grease in the package.

 

[inquirer]

I got a random GKN boot for the inner (tripod) joint of a CV axle. It's for a Toyota Avensis. I bought that because on a photo it seemed to have a bigger sachet than the Corolla's. (GKN does not list any boot for the Lancer.)

It came with an 80-gram sachet, but the Lancer workshop manual states 105 - 125 grams of grease for the tripod joint.

Do you think it's OK or should I buy more?