I guess I'm just persnickety. I've been spending a lot of time down under cleaning out 40+ years of build up in the wheel wells and wonder if there's an easier or better way. It's been an education as I've found all sorts of "stuff" and several grease fittings that have been missed long enough for the old grease to come out in cakes. I think I must have increased my useful load by ten pounds already. Short of removing the gear legs completely, has anyone worked this issue?

You pretty much have to do what you're doing unless you want to use a siphon gun with mineral spirits. Seems like that would run all over the place in the bottom of the wing, etc. I try to keep mine clean too and just do it with a rag wet with mineral spirits and wipe behind it with another clean rag, then grease everything and wipe off the excess. Also helps to take the wheel guard out to get better access.

Steve