Car Maintenance: do these really require no attention?

Crabman

Thinking about updating the Car Maintenance sticky thread with info about car parts requiring a bit of greasing up. I've lifted these off a dealer servicing checklist as an example of such items:

• Greasing points of steering gear linkage, prop shaft and suspension
• Front wheel bearing grease
• Front axle joint grease in knuckle flange
• Free running hub grease

I called an independent earlier today and was informed that the above parts may need replacement if they're defective but aren't something they'd look at otherwise. I got the impression she didn't quite understand I was talking about preventative maintenance as opposed to a repair.

A second garage informed me the above aren't necessary on modern cars. I spray WD-40 on the door hinges/bolts every so often as part of regular maintenance, so I don't understand why other parts are supposedly exempt

steveo3002

most are sealed for life now , no way of getting the grease in there without destroying the seal

wd40 isnt a great lube , next time use spray grease .

ariba10

If it ant broke, don't mend it.

About the only things you can maintain yourself are listed in the vehicle hand book.

One of the first cars I owned ( a Ford) had the have the the front steering point greased every 250 miles.

The one I have now recons on every 18,000 miles for maintenance.

It still takes some getting used to.

hewhoisnotintheknow

ive never touched any of them in about 500k of driving

wd40 is no good for long term lube, its attracts dirt, then drys out, the dirt then attracts moisture and then you worse off than before you started

Crabman

I use tesco's 'maintenance spray' which is pretty much the same as WD-40... I'll definitely grab some spray grease then, I've seen it before but thought it was all the same, thanks for that!

Conor_3

Crabman wrote: »

Thinking about updating the Car Maintenance sticky thread with info about car parts requiring a bit of greasing up. I've lifted these off a dealer servicing checklist as an example of such items:

• Greasing points of steering gear linkage, prop shaft and suspension
• Front wheel bearing grease
• Front axle joint grease in knuckle flange
• Free running hub grease

Non of those have been do-able since the 1980's. The only things that can still be done are taper bearings on the few remaining cars that use them. Most don't because they never got done so they're all sealed now.

kevin197

I've always used wd40 for doing my door hinges too, thanks for the tip

goldspanners

as conor says most wheel bearings and steering joints are sealed from new.
i know of certain bearings that actually only need a little water to quieten a bit of squeeking from them.
use wd 40 to free of seized door pins/hinges but use an aerosol spray or chain grease to keep them lubricated. try to get an anti fling one that bike chains use this is less messy with no dirty drips.

moonrakerz

WD 40 is great for a "quick fix" and for getting rid of moisture - but it also does a grand job of de-greasing too !

Quietmanc

Can I venture an opinion that Plus Gas is even better than WD40 for freeing seized parts.Ta.

ailuro2

Anything that feels oily on your fingers after the propellant has worn off will do a better job than the aforemntioned. It might take stains out of carpets, but as a lubricant for car door hinges it is easily beaten.

Ask at your local auto parts store, they'll give you something suitable that'll last longer.;)