Skip to main content
Topic: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew! (Read 489 times) previous topic - next topic

Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Heat index 111 today at my place in southern Illinois and I picked today to put on new shoes, ect..! Fortunately I had a couple of high school boys to do the "heavy work".  ^.^d  Slide pins were in surprisingly good condition for being in there since late 1995.
Ralph
96 U270

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #1
Be sure you use ONLY clay based grease
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #2
Be sure you use ONLY clay based grease

I seem to remember in a post several years ago that dealt with the Clay based grease issue.
As I remember Clay based grease was required,back in the day, but now a specific synthetic grease was OK to use.
Purging the excess grease out is the big requirement when applying the grease.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #3
You notice in the picture how the centramatic balancer is not centered?  How is that going to balance a tire without being centered on the hub? 
Freightliner MT55 w 24 ft box
All aluminum.

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #4
Do you mean the last picture,looks good to me.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #5
The balancer is a snug fit on the studs, so no way it's not centered...if you take a closer look, the black thing that appears to be off centered is the "Accuride wheel guard separator plate"...you will find them between the surface of aluminum and steel inner rear wheels, and in my opinion there should be one between any aluminum wheel and a steel surface. IMHO if you don't have them...you need them.

As far as the clay based grease is concerned, no grease should be used while doing any of this, only spray silicone or similar product. I'm assuming the thought was if one were lubing the chassis then the clay based grease should be used on the caliper fittings, however there are several brands of newer high temperature synthetic grease that are approved as well...and yes, purging is the most important step of all.

Ralph
96 U270

 

Re: Tires, centramatics, and helper springs today....whew!

Reply #6
Ah.  It's the separator then.  Whenever I want something lubed without attracting dirt, etc. I like to use a dry moly lube. 
Freightliner MT55 w 24 ft box
All aluminum.