Lube Question Freightliner Universal Joints

Fred Cooper · 11-09-2010, 04:31 PM

Just lubed the Freightliner Chassis today. On the two universal joints, there are two zerk fittings.

My question is "Do I need to lube both fittings on each universal joint, or just the one that can be easily accessed?" I managed to get both lubed, but I could not determine if it was necessary.

Thanks

Fred

Tim&Paula · 11-09-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Cooper

Just lubed the Freightliner Chassis today. On the two universal joints, there are two zerk fittings.

My question is "Do I need to lube both fittings on each universal joint, or just the one that can be easily accessed?" I managed to get both lubed, but I could not determine if it was necessary.

Thanks

Fred

Lube both, that will ensure you get proper coverage around the entire joint.

Norm4015 · 11-09-2010, 05:15 PM

Only need to lube one, but I always feel better doing both.

Chuck 1935 · 11-09-2010, 05:45 PM

If you don't want the extra grease flying around after you lube it, simply wrap saran wrap aroung the U joints in the direction of spinnind drive shaft and it will prevent the extra grease from spraying around your chassis.

rvtips · 11-09-2010, 06:10 PM

I lube only one IF I see grease coming out of all 4 caps,if not then I will lube the other one.

Phil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Cooper

Just lubed the Freightliner Chassis today. On the two universal joints, there are two zerk fittings.

My question is "Do I need to lube both fittings on each universal joint, or just the one that can be easily accessed?" I managed to get both lubed, but I could not determine if it was necessary.

Thanks

Fred

Chief · 11-15-2010, 11:48 AM

I always lube both fittings making sure that new grease is squeezed from all four caps. If lubing only one fitting would be sufficient, why would they come with two fittings??

Chuck 1935 · 11-15-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief

I always lube both fittings making sure that new grease is squeezed from all four caps. If lubing only one fitting would be sufficient, why would they come with two fittings??

Answer: So you don't have to turn the driveline if the fitting is on top and can't be reached with your grease gun !

J Walker · 11-16-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck 1935

Answer: So you don't have to turn the driveline if the fitting is on top and can't be reached with your grease gun !

You don't need to move the drive train if you have the right grease gun. I use a Harbor Freight air gun which leaves one hand free to find a zerk and hold the hose on it. A manual gun usually takes two hands just for the gun, no hand for the hose. Assuming that you have an air compressor, the Harbor Freight gun costs less than $20.

Chuck 1935 · 11-16-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Walker

You don't need to move the drive train if you have the right grease gun. I use a Harbor Freight air gun which leaves one hand free to find a zerk and hold the hose on it. A manual gun usually takes two hands just for the gun, no hand for the hose. Assuming that you have an air compressor, the Harbor Freight gun costs less than $20.

Got one and it works great, but not all people are as lucky as we are having a compressor and all the tools that go with it. Also look at my suggestion in post #4. It sure saves a mess.

rvtips · 11-16-2010, 02:08 PM

Like I said before,IF grease comes out of ALL joints/caps then you don't need to use the other grease fitting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief

I always lube both fittings making sure that new grease is squeezed from all four caps. If lubing only one fitting would be sufficient, why would they come with two fittings??

Midniteoyl · 11-16-2010, 05:58 PM

If you do it with regularity, you should nt need more than 2-4 pumps anyways.. simple matter to do 1-2 in each and have no worries

Chief · 11-17-2010, 06:49 PM

I lube the chassis (including universal joints) every 5,000 miles and have never been able to get a significant amount of grease (around the entire cap) to squeeze out of all four caps, therefore hitting all four zerks is a must for me. I have a manual grease gun that has a squeeze trigger leaving one hand to hold the hose on the fitting. Not a real problem..

Fred Cooper · 11-17-2010, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the good replies. I did get both fittings lubed on both u-joints using the air operated gun with flex hose. Like most replies, I did hit both joints because I could not completely see grease going out of all joints.
Fred