Howdy guys,
Will be removing the front CV axles on a '97 V6 Tacoma 4x4 apart for routine inspection/service and need to make a decision on what type grease to use when they are reassembled. I can use WD-40 Specialist® True Multi-Purpose Grease which is waterproof or I can use the (2) special greases supplied with the OEM reboot kit. I am sure that the OEM grease supplied in the kit is best for all-around use. But I routinely deal with 2-3 feet of water in the lower swamps over in Mississippi. So a waterproof grease may be better for my application. Thoughts? TIA!

 

If you need waterproof grease for your CV's then you got bigger issues than whether your running waterproof grease or not, no water gets in a CV unless its damaged in some way, and if thats the case you need to reboot.., so OE should be more than fine, and good call rebooting OE axles, they are stronger than aftermarket but its a very dirty job.

 

At times, my Tacoma is more of a boat than a 4x4. The high water combined with the sandy soil in our area gives us very short seal life. And when the seal goes, the bearings fail very quickly. Will be replacing all the seals on the front axle/trans/xfer case/rear axle along with any bearings that need it (again) when the turkey season winds down in May. There is no indication that the current CVs are taking in water but they eventually will. And when they do, a non-waterproof grease looses its lubrication qualities/washes out VERY quickly. Last time it happened, a CV failed before I even knew water had gotten in it. 10 days (probably as little as a week) prior to failure, the boot was not torn nor was there any indication water had penetrated the CV. A high quality waterproof grease with good EP qualities should give me a bit of added time to notice I need mtx before the CV or other part fails. This Tacoma sees 100 days a year in the mud/water now. When I retire in about 3 months, that will at least double. Just trying to stack the deck in my favor as much as possible so I can spend more time afield rather than up on jack stands. Choice of grease type would definitely be easier if I knew more about the qualities of the (2) "special OEM greases" supplied with the OEM reboot kit. Not much info on the net about the OEM greases other the black grease goes in the outer CV and the yellow grease goes in the inner CV. For all I know at this point, those special greases may be waterproof. If they are in fact waterproof grease types, then I will definitely use them on reassembly. But if those "special OEM greases" are not waterproof, then I may be better off using an aftermarket waterproof grease with high EP qualities. Appreciate you taking the time to post!

 

In that case, buy a bunch of CV boot clamps, and purge the water out of them with new grease, easier than pulling axles if its a common problem for you. IMO CV's shouldn't get water in them, but if your swimming lots it would be an issue I'm sure.

 

That is my thinking on it as well. I am leaving on a month long hunt/shoot towards the end of this month. And the Tacoma will be in that soupy mud & deep water every day of it. Appreciate your input!