DIYers, how often do you lube your rig's chassis?
Every oil change.
Like Twig above. I like to lube and change oil once a year. The grease is just about free and the oil/filter is less than $100 with a gallon and a half left over. HF air jacks make it easy and fast to take the load off the front end before you hit the zerks with the gun. Nice to have someone up behind the wheel to check ball joints, etc while no load on suspension. Also good time to check bulkhead condition and bolts plus do an overall underbelly check for damage, loose parts, etc. Don't forget to check all belts for cracks on the "V" part. If alternator has two belts, always install in pairs using same brand for both.
Pierce
My reason for asking this question is that we will be full-timeing, disposing of that much oil would be a problem. However, because of the problems I have read about on this forum with techs luring things, e.g. brakes with the wrong grease, I would like to do that myself. I have also read in Cummins docs that engine oil need not be changed but every 25 k miles. If this true, then why not do the chassis lube annually and the engine/Trans service every 2 years?
Am I wrong in my understanding?
Thanks
Royce,
I service my transmission every other year and I don't use transynd. This was at the recommendation of MOT.
As for the disposal any oil change place will happily take your oil they get $1 a gallon from the recyclers
Based on mileage or engine hours you can probably justify changing oil every 2 years or longer. However I just feel more comfortable changing the oil and filters on the engine and generator every spring. Besides someone told me "Oil is cheaper than Metal"
Nick
Reality check-- older chassis (any brand) have a very high likelihood of having suspension boots that are not in good shape.
Said another way, rubber ages badly.
So, more frequent lubing will far extend their life.
I do not believe in replacing tie rod ends, drag link ends, etc if they are mechanically sound, just because the boots are failing. More frequent greasing extends their life many years after the boots are no longer water-proof.
...and you can use water resistant grease like the kind used for boat trailers
You can renew the old boots. PC
Can you guys recommend a good air-powered grease gun? I hate wasting money on crappy tools!
I use grease guns more than normal with two carwashes and farm equipment. I went through three Harbor Freight grease guns before buying a Lincoln gun. I think if I had bought the Lincoln first I would still be using the same gun. I use a lot of HF equipment but no more grease guns.
Can't help you with an air powered gun but I'm extremely impressed with the Lincoln 1134 hand gun-
Amazon.com: Lincoln Lubrication 1134 Heavy Duty Pistol Grip Grease Gun with Whip (http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Lubrication-1134-Pistol-Grease/dp/B0002NYDZ8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404961644&sr=8-3&keywords=grease+gun)
Their 1162 air powered gun seems to have gotten good reviews-
Amazon.com: Lincoln 1162 Air Operated Grease Gun: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-1162-Air-Operated-Grease/dp/B0019COQ6C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404962249&sr=8-1&keywords=grease+gun+air)
The best grease gun for universal joints is a battery operated gun as it has very fast rapid fire, maybe continuous grease. With most air driven guns, there is a pause, almost like a manual gun.
U-Joints like to let grease out the bearing with the easiest path which prevents the tight bearing from oozing. With the electric battery gun the pumping in is faster than the oozing bearing so the tight bearings have a chance to see grease. With guns with pauses most of the grease takes the least resistance.
You cant go wrong with a Lincolin grease gun. I've had a manual one for 20+ years. Works like a champ. I also have a Lincolin pneumatic gun that I used when I had trucks. Great tool.
I don't know about 25K between oil changes... For me it's not so much the mileage but time. Every day the temperature rises and falls. Leave a milk carton out with some liquid in it and see the condensation that builds up. I change my oil at least twice a year regardless of mileage. My trucks when I had them, I would change every 10K religiously. I got over a million miles out of more than one engine..
I guess to each there own but that's what works for me..
Thanks Guys. Yes, I am considering the Lincoln 1162.