Journey fan drive bearing lubrication

[pine tree]

How does one access the FAN DRIVE BEARING for lubrication on a 2001 Journey 36GD with a 330HP Caterpillar engine? I am told this is a lube point that is not made by some shops because it is so hard to get at. Is this true? I feel this is a very serious matter and I would like to inspect the pulley on my rig to see if it has been properly lubricated.

All Journey owners should check into this situation as it could lead to big problems if what I allude to above is true.

What are your thoughts?

Pine Tree

[RKL]

You can access this lube fitting by removing or lifting the bed board and opening the engine access panel. The fitting is located just forward of the engine and before the fan pulley..A number of us have had a problem finding a grease gun tip that will fit onto the grease fitting in such a tight area...I ended up filing my grease gun tip to almost a rectangle to fit but it worked...Remember not to squeeze more than 1 or 2 times as you can blow out the seal with too much grease....Search this forum for pictures and extended permanent grease lines to reach this fitting.....There is no way to grease this fitting from below or the back over the radiator unless someone put an extension line onto the fitting...chances are it was never greased by the grease techs unless you let them inside to remove the bed....My model was a 36 GD....good luck RKL

[pine tree]

RKL,
Thank you. I will get busy on this right now. Seems a shame the service folks don't do this. Sometimes one starts to wonder about how our world works. Or in this case fails to work. In my business I would NEVER allow this non-lubrication to happen.

Thanks again, Pine Tree

[RCtime]

Pine tree

Yes that is a bearing not to be overlooked. You can also purchase a handheld grease gun from pep Boys or where ever and they normally come with a much smaller great fitting tip.

I believe I got mine from Auto Zone. It fit right on with no problems. If its too tight just grind a flat spot on one side of the tip, but I doubt you will need to.

[RCtime]

Pinetree
I thought maybe my 1st experience with this proceedure might be helpful.
I have a 34 footer but I imagine you access is similar. Just loacating this fitting for me was a chore. I could not for the life of me do it by feel. On mine I could not look directly down to see it. I finally laid a wide beam flashlight on the engine and used a mechanics mirror. Even then everything is painted the same color, not zirk fitting stands out. I finally locate it.
Now my proceedure is this. Once access is gained I again use the flashlight and mirror and put my finger on the zirk. I use the handheld grease gun that is a one hand operation and use my finger around the zirk to guide the grease gun tip spot on and hold it there. A couple pumps and button it back up.
Belive me this was such a chore locating this zirk the 1st time I was beginning to think they forgot to put it in my coach.
I sure hope your 36 footer allows you to see directly down on the Zirk, much easier.

[ernieh]

I "extended" my fitting by using an appropriate elbow, coupling, and two 18" grease gun hoses from AutoZone. I secured the lines to my crankcase breather tube. Now the fan zerk fitting is within easy reach from the bottom.

Be sure to prime the hose before making your final connection.