U-joint help?

Hi, hoping someone with more experience than I have can help me. I have a 75 LTD with some u-joint problems. First thing I noticed was the fluid all over the bottom of the car right around the front u-joint. After some research I thought it might be leaking from the slip-yoke, but I took another look under the car and that is dry as can be. There is a fairly large round disc in front of the u-joint (after the slip-yoke), and all of the fluid spray is on the u-joint side of that. Then I noticed a lubricating nipple in the middle of the u-joint itself. I didn't realize one needed to lube the u-joint. Two questions come to mind immediately: what kind of lube/fluid should go back in there, and why did it leak out in the first place?

Should I just replace the u-joint outright, since it is so old? Am I right to eliminate the slip-yoke as a concern, or is it still suspect? There is a small hole in the rubber of the slip yoke. Is this normal, or was there fluid in there too and it leaked out and dried out years ago? The rubber is completely dry, so it LOOKS ok, but I'm no expert. BTW I've only had this car for a year or so, and this is the first trouble I've had in this area.

Well, enough questions for now, I'll thank anyone for info that I don't have now.

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Originally posted by luvoldfords
First thing I noticed was the fluid all over the bottom of the car right around the front u-joint.

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You said it was leaking Fluid? Could it be there is a pinhole in the back of the yoke, allowing transmission fluid to leak past the splines and out the back of the yoke?? Just a thought.

To techinspector1, thanks much for the info. I'm going to copy your reply in my notes file immediately! The other topic I wasn't going to get into was the leaking pinion seal on the diff, and the slight but noticable play in the rear u-joint (and the klunking). I think the tailshaft seal, the pinion seal, and both u-joints are going to get replaced. In the interim I may try greasing the u-joint, see if it helps, or see if it sprays its grease under the car again.

to pro70z28, I don't think the fluid is coming from the tranny itself, the tail of the tranny seems dry, as does the rubber on the slip-yoke. It all seems to be after the large round disc (after the yoke, before the U-joint). BUT I appreciate your suggestion, and you could be completely right--I don't claim any expertese in this area. I will consider this too, and if money allows, I'll probably replace all I can as said above.

Thank you all for your replies. I'm a novice at this, but I try to at least research things myself before I post too many silly questions on a forum.
Never a problem, always a learning opportunity! (I try to remember that when I'm covered in grease and swearing at my buggy).