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Topic: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay (Read 792 times) previous topic - next topic

Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Back in 2019, I had to replace my drive shaft u-joints.  They were dry , needing grease, and coming apart.  I got them fixed.  I also was told that the transmission was leaking around the output shaft.  It was and I had it fixed at S & S, Longview, TX yesterday.  They did a good job that I am pleased with.  The worn out u-joints vibration caused by no $2 grease is what took out the seal and nut in the transmission(MD3060R) .  $82 Nut,  $55 Seal, $33 kit, $1500 Labor.  This time I will use lots of grease!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #1 –
Grease is cheap no matter how much it costs!
1997 U295 36 build #5085
2004 TJ Rubicon toad
I know more than I did but not as much as I'm going to

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #2 –
I grease my coach twice a year and use a Molly grease which is expensive but is worth the
price.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #3 –
My Milwaukee electric grease gun has turned into one of my favorite tools. It has made a normally crappy job somewhat enjoyable/therapeutic
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #4 –
I agree with all the replies,  I also love my new Milwaukee electric grease gun. 

How often do you grease the u-joints and slip-joint ?
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #5 –
Quote from: pthurman48 –
How often do you grease the u-joints and slip-joint ?
Every oil change. The service manual for my Oshkosh chassis calls for it every 6k miles or 6months.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Every oil change. The service manual for my Oshkosh chassis calls for it every 6k miles or 6months.

OR, after driving though heavy rain.
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: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #7 –
Please remember to wipe the Zerk, grease nipple , off with a clean cloth before greasing ... or else you force dirt into the u joint ... Don't over Grease .. listen an you will hear a slight noise just before the grease is forced out of the joint ... Oil and Grease are in fact cheap repairs ... Take CARE.
2001 U320 40ft
Build #5867
2003 Tracker
VE7DOD

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Dave Dunington –
Please remember to wipe the Zerk, grease nipple , off with a clean cloth before greasing ... or else you force dirt into the u joint ... Don't over Grease .. listen an you will hear a slight noise just before the grease is forced out of the joint ... Oil and Grease are in fact cheap repairs ... Take CARE.


NO. This advice is just perfect for front end links with boots, as you don't want to over-expand or unseat the boots.

But, for U-joints, you continue greasing until clean grease comes out all 4 bearing caps. Then wipe off access.
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: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #9 –
Just some advice to not make the same dumb mistake I made and I've never seen any one comment on this before.  I greased the slip yoke on my driveshaft while the coach was blocked up at its highest position.  Of course most of you already know where this is going.  I couldn't believe how much grease the joint was taking and I thought it must have been completely dry.  Sometime after I eventually lowered the coach to ride height I noticed what I thought was a big pile of dog poop under it.  Think Great Dane size pile.  About $15 worth of grease lol.  Doesn't seem to have been a problem but I have noticed that the driveshaft has now slung excess grease all over the underside of the chassis.  Not sure how to know when you have the joint full since I don't fit under the coach unless it's raised up and I don't have a pit.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #10 –
If grease is going in I don't put any more grease than ten shots in anything.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #11 –
Like Peter I've always hit the slide yoke with 10 to 12 cycles/squirts worth of grease. I use a battery grease gun. I've done that for decades on diesel trucks as well and have never had any failures due to lube. No call for you to gut punch yourself over the mistake, how were you to know. I grease my drive line every 3000 miles, may be excessive but it's always served me well on class 8 trucks and Diesel pusher. I grease the front end at oil change every 6k miles.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Do the basic maintenance or you will pay

Reply #12 –
I regularly see these shop videos about cars and trucks with 60K miles, with the original oil and filter.

Beyond basic care of valuable stuff, I find that stuff a spiritual "sin," a moral bankruptcy.
Matt B
1998 u-320