Grease joint won't take grease/Dexter springs

[Jhav]

[QUOTE=rockintom;2534694]John, Yes the hole is drilled only half way thru the bolt and then at a 45* to just one hole in the center of the bolt. When you say you turned the bolt 180* where did you position the grease hole? Should be at 3 or 9 o'clock on all eyelets. Which one was the troubled joint (location)? Just curious. Pix?

The small grease hole was originally at 9 o'clock and I rotated it to 3 o'clock. I don't know what the configuration of the bushing is to accept grease at those positions only. Does the bushing have 2 grooves that are a helix and intersect the grease hole at 3 and 9 o'clock position?

[rockintom]

Gary - You da man. But then again......us Texicans can do almost anything. Or at least talk about it!!!

BTW was your wet bolt grease hole oriented correctly? rockin'

[rockintom]

[QUOTE=Jhav;2534763]

Originally Posted by rockintom

John, Yes the hole is drilled only half way thru the bolt and then at a 45* to just one hole in the center of the bolt. When you say you turned the bolt 180* where did you position the grease hole? Should be at 3 or 9 o'clock on all eyelets. Which one was the troubled joint (location)? Just curious. Pix?

The small grease hole was originally at 9 o'clock and I rotated it to 3 o'clock. I don't know what the configuration of the bushing is to accept grease at those positions only. Does the bushing have 2 grooves that are a helix and intersect the grease hole at 3 and 9 o'clock position?

No John, the 3 or 9 o'clock position is theoretically suppose to allow greasing with the trailer setting with the weight on the springs. Another words if the grease hole was oriented at the 6 o'clock position, then the grease couldn't enter due to the load (weight) on the bolt (no clearance between and bushing - couldn't allow greasing). rockin'

As I mentioned before I wonder if "relieving/chamfering" the internal grease hole just a bit would aid in greasing these wet bolts.

[TexasTwoStep]

Originally Posted by rockintom

Gary - You da man. But then again......us Texicans can do almost anything. Or at least talk about it!!!

BTW was your wet bolt grease hole oriented correctly? rockin'

Not sure of orientation. Mine spun on the backside when I thought the notches would hold it.

Knowing what I know now I think I will try using a wire with an 1/8" (or small enough to fit in the zerk hole) 90 degree end and try to get it into the grease hole. My thinking is that it might relieve it enough to take grease.

[Jhav]

[QUOTE=rockintom;2534851]

Originally Posted by Jhav

No John, the 3 or 9 o'clock position is theoretically suppose to allow greasing with the trailer setting with the weight on the springs. Another words if the grease hole was oriented at the 6 o'clock position, then the grease couldn't enter due to the load (weight) on the bolt (no clearance between and bushing - couldn't allow greasing). rockin'

As I mentioned before I wonder if "relieving/chamfering" the internal grease hole just a bit would aid in greasing these wet bolts.

That makes sense about the positioning of the bolt. I think putting a chamfer on the internal grease hole is an excellent idea that Dexter should be doing. If I ever have to take any of the bolts out again I will do this. While I was under there I noticed a shock absorber was leaking. My rig will be 2 years old July. Who is the manufacturer of the shock and do you think it is under warranty thru them?

[drfife]

I took a different approach.

I installed Never Fail Spring and Shackle Bushings.

[TexasTwoStep]

Russell, Is ur system Lippert or Dexter.

[Jhav]

Originally Posted by drfife

I took a different approach.

I installed Never Fail Spring and Shackle Bushings.

That is amazing 100,000 miles and never have to worry about greasing them or wearing out. I went to their website and I didn't see anywhere that said what they are made off or what makes them so unique that they last so long. What are they made off to give them such long life? With the lifetime warranty it's not the cost of the bushing so much but the labor to change them.

[rockintom]

[QUOTE=Jhav;2535361]

Originally Posted by rockintom

That makes sense about the positioning of the bolt. I think putting a chamfer on the internal grease hole is an excellent idea that Dexter should be doing. If I ever have to take any of the bolts out again I will do this. While I was under there I noticed a shock absorber was leaking. My rig will be 2 years old July. Who is the manufacturer of the shock and do you think it is under warranty thru them?

As mentioned on this forum, they are Dexter shocks, made in China and haven't heard one favorable comment. Replacement of those with the same will likely yield the same performance. I'd just take the leap and upgrade to the Monroe gas filled - dual action shocks (4). You'll be happy you did. Part #555001. Shop carefully as they price vary quote a bit. HTHs.

[rockintom]

Those never fail bushing sounds good.

[drfife]

When I replaced my OEM bronze bushings after 14K miles they were already pretty well worn.

Time will tell on the Never Fail Bushings. I installed them with wet bolts, just in case.

But I've not added grease to them since installed in December 2013.

[Jhav]

[QUOTE=rockintom;2535457]

Originally Posted by Jhav

As mentioned on this forum, they are Dexter shocks, made in China and haven't heard one favorable comment. Replacement of those with the same will likely yield the same performance. I'd just take the leap and upgrade to the Monroe gas filled - dual action shocks (4). You'll be happy you did. Part #555001. Shop carefully as they price vary quote a bit. HTHs.

Thanks for the information, I just ordered 4 Monroe 555001 shocks from Amazon .... $29.87 each with free shipping plus sales tax. Amazon now nails me with sales tax since they build a distribution center here in Wisconsin.

[Max1]

Do the Monroe part #555001 shocks fit all Excel 5th wheels?

[Jhav]

Originally Posted by Max1

Do the Monroe part #555001 shocks fit all Excel 5th wheels?

I sure hope they fit 2014 Winslow 31IKE because that's what I just ordered.