Calcium/lithium complex greases and encapsulated constant velocity joint containing the grease and method for their production

A constant velocity joint having an encapsulation in an area of a lubricating point of the joint, the encapsulation being a boot and comprising a grease composition and a thermoplastic elastomer comprising one or more ester bonds and encapsulating the lubricating point of the joint and a grease composition, the grease composition comprising:

• at least one base oil;
• at least one additive;
• at least one thickener, wherein the thickener is a complex soap comprising a calcium/lithium soap and at least one complexing agent;
• and
• an excess of calcium hydroxide,
• the grease composition comprising a calcium to lithium molar ratio of greater than 1.0 to 5.0:1, the calcium to lithium molar ratio calculated based on the molar ratio of LiOH*H2O to Ca(OH)2,
• wherein lithium hydroxide and Ca(OH)2 used in the process of making the soaps are used in an amount to ensure that the lithium hydroxide is reacted as completely as possible with one or more carboxyl groups to avoid excess of lithium hydroxide and any unreacted carboxyl group are reacted with the calcium hydroxide to result in an excess of calcium hydroxide as alkaline buffer.