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Topic: Steering gear zerk grease fitting (Read 851 times) previous topic - next topic

Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Our steering gear has a single mysterious zerk grease fitting facing forward.  It can only be seen from generator compartment.

It has seen little grease over the years, as service techs don't seem know it's there and we have only greased it one time.

My confusion is that the internals of the gear are lubed and cooled from hydraulic fluid, so we don't want to put chassis grease where it can come in contact with hydraulic fluid.

This fitting seems to be at the very top of the gear where the steering shaft enters.
The only thing that comes to mind is that the zerk must be there to put some grease on the internal seal.
And I would think that greasing too much or too often could compromise the seal.
And that no grease could dry out the seal.

Anyone else have this zerk and have experience with greasing it?
Photos attached.

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #1 –
Barry,

As far as I know, that is a standard grease fitting on the Sheppard Box.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #2 –
 Yes I think so too as I found one on both coach's and applied some syn grease to them. I had not found them prior to getting under the coach the way I can now.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #3 –
Per page 23 of http://www.rhsheppard.com/mseries_complete2.pdf : "If the cap you are working on has a grease fitting, you should remove the fitting and fill the hole with RTV. No further greasing is necessary."
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #4 –
J.D. Thanks for the pdf file. What a great way to understand our steering gear.

Appreciate others telling us they also have the zerk fitting.

I decided it was time to ask my question at Sheppard. Will let everyone know what they respond.

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #5 –
Wayne at Sheppard (800 274 7437)  is a customer service "go to" guy. He provided some personal service when we blew out the input shaft seal on our M100. Sheppard has a lot of good information on the web. They have some good videos.

Service is a good place to find the manuals and videos.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Steering gear zerk grease fitting

Reply #6 –
I asked Sheppard about the zerk grease fitting.

From his answer, I am concerned that too much grease gun pressure could damage seal, so we will not be greasing that fitting very often and only a squirt.

From Mike Long at Sheppard:

"That grease fitting has not been on a production gear for many years. It should be greased annually and takes very little grease.

It is intended for seal lubrication and yes the current models are lubed internally with hydraulic fluid."