Dana 27 Front Axle Lube?

[celcius232]

I am resealing the closed knuckle Dana 27 on the front of my '71. Should the knuckles be filled to the drain plug with the same lube as the differential? Does a new inner seal and these felt type seals from Crown really keep the stuff in? I think the old Jeep manual says SAE 80--is this correct? Thanks. Brian

[Chris G.]

I believe the manual calls for the same gear oil as in the axle, but the old Willys guys swear by a combination of bearing grease and 90W oil called - "Knuckle Pudding". This pudding consistency combo supposedly gives enough movement in the knuckle to keep all the parts lubed but won't leak past the seals. I used this on an old Willys Wagon with old seals and it worked well.

There is a sort of "recipe" here:

Rick's Willys Truck Homepage

Good luck,

- Chris

[mbr]

Second that. I've also used it in my manual steering box for well over 10 years with never a leak.

[celcius232]

It sound like the stuff I pulled out of the knuckles. Do you mix it 50/50? bg

[mbr]

50/50 mix is my understanding. Cold weather makes the steering a little stiff at first, but it loosens up.