Community Forums

Les1951 · 06-17-2017, 05:38 PM

Today I spent 5 hours under my 2017 Anthem greasing,repairing and inspecting. With 12,000 miles on the coach this was the second oil change and the third grease job. The first two grease jobs were done at service centers where the coach was in for other reasons. I was dismayed to find a number of the grease zerks untouched. And as you would guess they were ones that were difficult to see and get to. Several of the front axle zerks required a clamp and hose to be moved to get to them. I am concerned that these techs did not use the Spartan diagram and did not seem to have the motivation to do the job right. Lubrication is a serious matter with these RV's and I am glad I was able to fix this before it became a problem.

**CLIFFTALL** · 06-17-2017, 05:41 PM

I always brought my diagram with me and gave it to the tech to use.

BHutting · 06-17-2017, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

I always brought my diagram with me and gave it to the tech to use.

Would you share your diagram? Great idea to have one to compare to what the service tech is referencing.

Sorry.... My bad.... I posted and didn't notice that you are not an Entegra owner. Still a great idea!

dave&ginny · 06-17-2017, 06:30 PM

I had a heck of a time getting the zerks to take grease. Big Mike from Spartan suggested using a needle fitting on the grease gun so I bought one. I'm planing on giving that a try next week before the next long trip

Bigd9 · 06-17-2017, 06:44 PM

Unfortunately what you are experiencing is not unusual. That is why I try to do everything myself. In my past life, I had the opportunity to review all service reports for the 67 trucks and cars in my division. The stories my guys told me about the screwups "Mr. Goodwrench" made in simple oil/grease jobs was appalling!

Jerry · 06-17-2017, 06:51 PM

If you want a good lube job, stay away from the Speedco shops! I have had to use them 4 times in the past 5 years because I could not find anyone else in the area I was traveling when a service was due. Each time I spoke with the shop manager and encouraged him to followup with the pit guy to assure all the fittings were lubed. They said they would, but each time I would crawl underneath the rig outside after they finished and found numerous missed fittings. The last one, they also left the oil fill cap off and it just happen to fall to the ground when I pulled outside the bay.
Speedco is just after quick money and get you out quick. Quality work means nothing to them. Letters to their home office went unanswered.
Jerry

Ready2Travel · 06-17-2017, 07:25 PM

To get the king pins to accept grease the front axle must be jacked up to accept grease.

Had a slight handling problem with our Anthem, it wandered a bit. As recommended had a dealer lube the chassis in Fresno on the way to Octoberfest. Wandering problem did not improve.

Took the Anthem to an alignment shop in San Diego in January and they checked alignment, it was fine. They did a front end lube and found the king pins to be dry, were not properly lubed by the dealer in Fresno. They said that to get the King pins to except grease then front end needed to be jacked up. After a proper lube of the king pins (with front end up) wandering problem is gone.

dave&ginny · 06-17-2017, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ready2Travel

To get the king pins to accept grease the front axle must be jacked up to accept grease.

Had a slight handling problem with our Anthem, it wandered a bit. As recommended had a dealer lube the chassis in Fresno on the way to Octoberfest. Wandering problem did not improve.

Took the Anthem to an alignment shop in San Diego in January and they checked alignment, it was fine. They did a front end lube and found the king pins to be dry, were not properly lubed by the dealer in Fresno. They said that to get the King pins to except grease then front end needed to be jacked up. After a proper lube of the king pins (with front end up) wandering problem is gone.

Thanks I'll try that

MRUSA14 · 06-18-2017, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

If you want a good lube job, stay away from the Speedco shops! I have had to use them 4 times in the past 5 years because I could not find anyone else in the area I was traveling when a service was due. Each time I spoke with the shop manager and encouraged him to followup with the pit guy to assure all the fittings were lubed. They said they would, but each time I would crawl underneath the rig outside after they finished and found numerous missed fittings. The last one, they also left the oil fill cap off and it just happen to fall to the ground when I pulled outside the bay.
Speedco is just after quick money and get you out quick. Quality work means nothing to them. Letters to their home office went unanswered.
Jerry

When I went to Speedco a couple of years ago, I gave them the Spartan lube diagram and they ignored it. This is why I take the coach back to Spartan for its annual service at least every other year. I just don't trust most shops to lube all the fittings.

Tall Tex · 06-18-2017, 06:50 AM

Unfortunately I believe that the old saying "if you want it done right, do it yourself" is very applicable for chassis lubrication!

brobox · 06-18-2017, 07:31 AM

I lubed mine the other day and noticed 1/2 the fittings from my trip to Speedco were dry. To bad, I was hoping they would be my new easy source for a lube job, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. Still can't beat the price of oil and filters changes

Flanz · 06-18-2017, 08:40 AM

You want it done right, do it yourself....

I grease every 5K....Period. That's going to be probably three times a year for me. Haven't had a problem at all with the front end, driveshaft, U-Joints, axles....Nothing.

As for the kingpins, changed the top zerks to right angle instead of straight up and I don't have to mess with clamps or hoses. As for front end off the ground for kingpins, never did it. I can see the old grease coming from the assembly, top and bottom.

Others state that you only need to do the U-Joints every 5K miles. I figure your under there and dirty what's a few more grease zerks. Grease is cheap! And I also get to look at the underside and make sure all is good. I carry work clothes on the rode since we full time so getting a little dirty is no big deal.

YMMV

Gasman 2 · 06-18-2017, 02:07 PM

Gary May at Spartan's training Academy said it is necessary to keep the weight on the front end, do not left, in order for the thrust bearing to receive grease. You want the grease to exit above the thrust bearing rather than below. If it exits above you know the grease has traveled thru the thrust bearing. If you take the weight off chance are the grease will exit below the thrust bearing.
The thrust bearing carries the weight of the front end.

twinboat · 06-18-2017, 02:47 PM

You will find that leaving the weight on the tires, is in the axle manufactures literature also.

Lifting just gives the grease an easy way out. Sure it lubes the bushings, but leaves the old water contaminated grease in the thrust bearings that is carrying the weight.

Once they start to fail, the gap gets bigger on top, they clunk on bumps and then the axle and spindle get scored by the seized thrust bearing.

Seen it many times.