Grease fittings on jacks

[Navl AV8R]

While greasing the suspension items of my W22 yesterday I noticed that the two rear jacks had a grease fitting at the bottom of the piston housing. The front jacks do not appear to have these fittings.

My question.

I assume these two fittings are part of the items to lube when greasing the chassis and if so, do I use the same chassis grease for them or some unique/synthetic, etc type of grease?

Thanks

[Navl AV8R]

While greasing the suspension items of my W22 yesterday I noticed that the two rear jacks had a grease fitting at the bottom of the piston housing. The front jacks do not appear to have these fittings.

My question.

I assume these two fittings are part of the items to lube when greasing the chassis and if so, do I use the same chassis grease for them or some unique/synthetic, etc type of grease?

Thanks

[Gary RVRoamer]

Since it is a Pace, those are probably PowerGear jacks. I can't imagine why there are no zerks on the fronts - you might want to check again (they may be on the back side). My 2002 had them on all four jacks.

Yes, you lube them with regular chassis grease. It makes a big difference in the ease/speed with which the jacks retract.

[Bill Davis]

The Power Gear jacks on my '05 Workhorse chassis all have zerk fittings. I was told to give short squirt periodically with Lithium based grease while jacks are extended. They are a little hard to access. If for some reason your front jacks don't have zerks, I would contact Power Gear.

[Jack Myton]

Power Gear jacks with zerks (nipples) should be greased with White Lithium grease, not regular grease. For jacks without zerks you can lubricate with silicon spray, which lasts next to no time at all, or you can coat them with white lithium grease. If you are extending your jacks for extended periods, you can coat them liberally with the white lithium grease and you can wipe the excess off when you are out of storage. Not all jacks, models and years have the zerks.

[george henry]

Call Power Gear and ask them WHY the front don't have ZERK

[Paulin]

Our 2003 Southwind had Power Gear jacks and zerks on the rear jacks only. Not all PG jacks have zerks, so don't worry about the front ones. As previously noted, use silicon spray on all four and occasionally white lithium grease on the rear zerks.

[JerryForwood]

Best advise I know of is to read your owners manual before you get all upset about your jacks having or not having Zerk fittings.
My manual definitely says "Zerk fittings on the rear jacks only".

[BillArf]

Not unusual to see zerk fittings on the rear PowerGear jacks and not on the fronts.

--

This info taken directly from the PowerGear Manual:
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">
1. Check the fluid level every month. Fill the reservoir with the jacks in the fully retracted
position. On 1998 - PRESENT model year coaches, the fluid should be within 1/4 inch of
the fill port lip and checked only with all jacks retracted. On pre-1998 model year coaches
the fluid level should be approximately 1/8 inch on the dipstick and checked only with all
jacks retracted.

2. Change fluid every 24 months.

3. Inspect and clean all hydraulic pump electrical connections every 12 months.

4. Remove dirt and road debris from jacks as needed.

5. If jacks are down for extended periods, it is recommended to spray exposed chrome
rods with a silicone lubricant every seven days for protection. If your coach is located in
a salty environment (within 60 miles of coastal areas), it is recommended to spray the rods
every 2 to 3 days.

6. Jacks equipped with grease fittings at the bottom of the cylinder should be greased
with a light weight lithium grease using a hand pump style grease gun only. 2 or 3
pumps should be sufficient for 20-30 uses.

</span>

[BillArf]

Fluid replenishment/change info:

The tank should be located up behind the drivers side front wheel.

Changing/adding the hydraulic fluid on your on a 1999 to present Power Gear power unit assembly with round reservoir tank. It's very easy to do!


2 or 2.5 gallon round reservoir tank used on a 1999 to present to present Power Gear power unit assembly.

On left top side of the tank you see the fill spout/plug. On the bottom you see the tank drain plug.


Hydraulic fluid should be changed every 2 years. Takes 2 or 2.5 gallons to fill but have more then 2.5 gallons on hand as you would hate to spill a little and run short of fluid. Make sure the jacks are retracted (in the up position). Place a catch container that will hold more then 2 gallons under the drain hole. Remove the fill plug first then the drain plug. Let the tank drain for a few minutes until all is out. Now, carefully replace (careful not to cross thread and do not overtighten!) the bottom drain plug. Using a StaLube hand pump (buy at Advance Auto or AutoZone) or similar pump, pump into the fill hole, regular ATF Type A or Dextron III that you buy at any AutoZone, etc.. Plain old inexpensive ATF Type A is all you need. (Colder climates can use alternative fluids) You will know when it is full as it will start to flow back out the fill hole. 8-) Fill to a 1/4" from the top of the fill spout/hole.(On pre-1998 model year coaches 1/8") Once full, put the fill plug back in. I'd recommend placing some lubricant/grease on the plugs before you put them back in so they will be easier to remove in the future. AFTER you have the tank full, start the RV and run the jacks up and down 4 or 5 times. That is it. OH, each jack leg has a grease (zerk) fitting. Using the grease/zerk fitting on each leg, pump in light weight lithium based grease until you see it start to ooze out of the bottom of the jack leg. Clean up any excess grease. Final step is to wipe off/lubricate the extended jack leg tubes with lots silicone spray lubricant. In regard to the silicone spray lubricant, it is recommended to respray clean/lube each jack leg every 2-3 days if you are in a salty environment and the jack legs are extended.

For a copy of the PowerGear manual go HERE.


.

[Navl AV8R]

Thanks for all the info. This blog is a great way to get the info, especially since my just-purchased MH did not come with the Power Gear manual.

I'll get the lithium grease and also change the oil since the MH has 25k miles and it appears the previous owner did little maintenance.

[JerryForwood]

For a download of your manual go here:
http://www.powergearus.com/

[george henry]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Naval Aviator:
Thanks for all the info. This blog is a great way to get the info, especially since my just-purchased MH did not come with the Power Gear manual.

I'll get the lithium grease and also change the oil since the MH has 25k miles and it appears the previous owner did little maintenance. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good idea. go thru the whole coach and change out the fluids . then you will know it has been done right.

[BB501]

For Bill,
Do I check the fluid level at figure 12 on your chart?

Steve