as the title really, how do go about cleaning the gunk that is on the universal joint of the steering? is there any grease within the joint itself that i need to be careful and can't therefore simply use some white spirit?

was also thinking of giving it a fresh coat of paint when i do the rest of it. don't think a wire brush isn't going to get into the nooks and crannys, any suggestions on how to strip off the old paint?

[Edited on 1/4/11 by mads]

wd40 to 'clean' it.

As for paint ..... id be careful as you'll be spraying paint into the joint and i'd be worried about buggering it up.

'Most' Steering UJ's that I've seen have needle races.
In which case: No thinners, spirits OR WD40! (it's hell on bearings of any description)
Try a toothbrush and a rag ..no water or chemicals.

I'd wipe it with a rag to get the worst off, then go over it with another with brake cleaner or similar on, rather than wash it. There's no practical way of re-greasing if you wash it out.