Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

[Greg S.]

The AIM manual lists part number 9985011 Graphite Grease as the lube for the clutch cross shaft. This grease does not appear to be available from GM anymore. What is a comparable substitute?

Previous owner had installed a grease fitting on the clutch cross shaft and filled it with chassis lube which was leaking out and making a huge mess. I would like to return to the factory recommendation.

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

The AIM manual lists part number 9985011 Graphite Grease as the lube for the clutch cross shaft. This grease does not appear to be available from GM anymore. What is a comparable substitute?

Previous owner had installed a grease fitting on the clutch cross shaft and filled it with chassis lube which was leaking out and making a huge mess. I would like to return to the factory recommendation.

GM #9985011 was never available in SERVICE. Most likely, that's because it was the part number for a unit quantity that was far larger than any sold by GMSPO in SERVICE. However, I'm confident that the same grease in retail size quantities was available from GM under another part number, long-since GM-discontinued. The current "direct descendant" of that grease is GM #12377985 which is still available and is far superior to the original grease.

[Mark E.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I believe the cross-shaft is factory installed with a plastic plug, not a grease fitting.

Others may offer their best practice for this... I've always serviced a cross-shaft by removing it, cleaning the ends, and applying chassis grease directly to each end. It seems like most of a tube of grease would be wasted trying to fill the shaft by installing and using a grease fitting. Not to mention the mess that would create as grease under pressure oozes past either end of the shaft.

But I do wonder about the purpose of the plugged hole... Is the cross-shaft really designed to be filled with grease?

[Joe L.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I believe the cross-shaft is factory installed with a plastic plug, not a grease fitting.

Others may offer their best practice for this... I've always serviced a cross-shaft by removing it, cleaning the ends, and applying chassis grease directly to each end. It seems like most of a tube of grease would be wasted trying to fill the shaft by installing and using a grease fitting. Not to mention the mess that would create as grease under pressure oozes past either end of the shaft.

But I do wonder about the purpose of the plugged hole... Is the cross-shaft really designed to be filled with grease?

Mark------


The plugged hole is for a grease fitting. Greasing the cross shaft, which does fill the tube with grease, is the easiest and most convenient means of greasing the pivot points on both ends of the shaft. However, it's not the best method. The best method is as you described.

[Edward B.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I got tired of wasting all that lube having to fill an empty void, so I went down to the Home Depot and got (if I remember correctly) a 3/4" dowel. I cut it so it would fill most of the inside of the shaft, but still loose enough for the lube to flow to the pivots and now no more wasted lube. That way you don't have to remove the shaft to grease the pivots.

Ed

[Jim T.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

How often do you recommend to lube the cross shaft? I need to consult my owners manual/service manual and see if mentions it, do not remember.

[Edward B.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

Per the owners manual, every 12k miles.

Ed

[Duke W.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I believe the cross-shaft is factory installed with a plastic plug, not a grease fitting.

My March-built SWC (I'm the original owner) had a zerk fitting from the plant. The plastic plug started later. I shot grease into it every 6 months/6K miles IAW the shop manual lubrication recommendation.

It never took much until the excess came out on the block stud end, which I wiped off.

Duke

[Edward B.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I got tired of wasting all that lube having to fill an empty void, so I went down to the Home Depot and got (if I remember correctly) a 3/4" dowel. I cut it so it would fill most of the inside of the shaft, but still loose enough for the lube to flow to the pivots and now no more wasted lube. That way you don't have to remove the shaft to grease the pivots.Ed

Smart use of space.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

My method exactly since new, but I'd like the grease fitting facing the bottom so a chassis lube can be done from one position on a lift. Small inconvenience of course.

Stu Fox

[Jack J.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I was expecting John Hinckley to chime in. I seem to recollect an article he submitted with regards to an easier way and less wasteful with the grease approach. John?

[Mark E.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

My method exactly since new, but I'd like the grease fitting facing the bottom so a chassis lube can be done from one position on a lift. Small inconvenience of course.
Stu Fox

I thought the grease fitting did face downward. At least it does on 70-74 cars.

[Jack J.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

Edward Bertrand said exactly what John H. would have said to my earlier post. Thank you

[John H.]

Re: Clutch cross shaft graphite grease lube part number 9985011

I was expecting John Hinckley to chime in. I seem to recollect an article he submitted with regards to an easier way and less wasteful with the grease approach. John?

I went through that when I built my Grand Sport replica in 1995, and used a 3/4" wooden dowel with a 1/4" x 1/4" slot routed in its full length, and aligned with the grease fitting hole when inserted in the cross shaft tube. That way the grease only had to fill the groove in the dowel instead of the entire tube to get to the two pivot balls.