UJ Maintenance

Prevention is better than a cure so routine maintenance of the UJs is better than having to un-seize or replace them. Ideally it should be done twice a year but could just be done at service time. First, jack the front of the car up, this allows us to turn the steering wheel with no interference from the ground. Now find the UJs.Firstly

Look in the drivers footwell and you will see a column disappearing through the bulkhead. The top of the rubber flange (circled in red) can be lightly greased to enable a good movement and to also help seal the shaft.

Now The UJ’s

If you follow this shaft upward, you will soon find the internal universal joint. If your steering is already beginning to tighten I recommend spraying the joint in PlusGas. It is a penetrating spray that may help loosen it. Don’t use WD40. Ideally you should wrap a cloth behind the UJ so the PlusGas doesn’t go anywhere else. Let it soak in for a while, remove the cloth and rotate the wheel full lock both ways over and over again.

This will allow the PlusGas to get into the UJ. Once you have done that, wipe the UJ down and spray with grease. Again rotate the wheel full lock both ways over and over again.

Lower the front undertray, see here. Leave the car jacked up and steer towards the side you are working on.

Look at the steering rack and you will see the external universal joint just on top. Again, if your steering is becoming stiff, give it a good dose of PlusGas. Rotate the wheel full lock both ways over and over again to allow it to penetrate. When you think it is well penetrated spray liberally with grease. Again rotate the wheel full lock both ways over and over again.

It’s a good idea to get spray chain grease used on motorbikes, for a few reasons.

• It is designed to lubricate outside in water and dirt.
• The spray will allow you to get the grease on the UJ as access is tight.
• Chain grease spray is designed not to splatter so it holds itself onto the UJ.

Chains perform under worse conditions than the UJ ever will.

Most motorfactors will be able to sell you PlusGas and spray chain grease. The grease not only lubricates, it also stops water, dust and grit entering.

Job done for another 6 months to a year depending on how bad it got before maintenance. I’d recommend doing this at every service before the steering started getting stiff.