Community Forums

charley p · 10-18-2021, 06:07 AM

i have the nine point diagram. i can't get to the upper king pins because of what appears to be brake coolers(2" curved steel open-ended pipes directly over the king pin zerks. i've watched three youtube videos; none had these devices(brake coolers?). do you have these, and if so, how do you manage to get the fitting on the zerk? also, do you use a jack to lift the front end to grease the king pins(shown in another youtube video)?

thanks in advance

Rob_M · 10-18-2021, 06:42 AM

Maybe replace the straight zerk with a 90* zerk.
Im not sure jacking the weight off the kingpin will help get more grease where it needs to go but it’s possible.

Edit: You can use your levelers instead of a jack btw.

twinboat · 10-18-2021, 06:55 AM

You should NOT jack up the axle when greasing the lower kingpin fitting.

Top bushing don't matter, but the bottom has a thrust bearing sandwiched in above the lower bushing. Sitting with weight on the tire keeps the gap between the parts closed so that the grease pushes up thru that bearing.

AITG · 01-15-2022, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

You should NOT jack up the axle when greasing the lower kingpin fitting.

Top bushing don't matter, but the bottom has a thrust bearing sandwiched in above the lower bushing. Sitting with weight on the tire keeps the gap between the parts closed so that the grease pushes up thru that bearing.

Correct! But, since you are working on your own equipment, you can grease the lower fitting with weight on the wheels and then give it an extra shot or two after removing the weight. It's critical to force grease through the bearing but the lower bushing is still in it's operating position. Jacking it up lets grease flow over the normally loaded surfaces. If you choose to just lube it once, do it with weight on the tires.

Shadow5501 · 01-15-2022, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charley p

i have the nine point diagram. i can't get to the upper king pins because of what appears to be brake coolers(2" curved steel open-ended pipes directly over the king pin zerks. i've watched three youtube videos; none had these devices(brake coolers?). do you have these, and if so, how do you manage to get the fitting on the zerk? also, do you use a jack to lift the front end to grease the king pins(shown in another youtube video)?

thanks in advance

Use a wrench to rotate the zerk so that the fitting is pointed a convenient direction. Almost straight rearward works pretty good for the F53. Then work from the back to access that top fitting.

EdInArk · 01-15-2022, 02:56 PM

I used one of these right angle couplers on the top. Worked fine. I have two grease guns, though, and just put the right angle on one of them full time.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...5700_200785700

Steve-W · 01-15-2022, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charley p

i have the nine point diagram. i can't get to the upper king pins because of what appears to be brake coolers(2" curved steel open-ended pipes directly over the king pin zerks. i've watched three youtube videos; none had these devices(brake coolers?). do you have these, and if so, how do you manage to get the fitting on the zerk? also, do you use a jack to lift the front end to grease the king pins(shown in another youtube video)?

thanks in advance

I feel your pain, you can get in there but it is tight on the drivers side. Turn the wheels to full right that will help. Also a 90° coupler will also get in there. Access it from the rear not the front.

rondi · 01-17-2022, 10:27 AM

We have a 2019 F53 with aluminum wheels. I move the RV so the holes in the wheels are at the top. My wife feeds the pump with hose on it in the top hole which lines up exactly with the zert fitting. I crawl under the rig and reach up and push the coupler onto the zert. I tell when to pump and when to stop. Works pretty good. I only need to do this on the street side. The zert is turned enough I can get the coupler on from under the rig.