Wet bolt greasing issue

[Overtaxed]

So when greasing, is grease coming out the opposite end (a lot and quickly) of the zerk symptomatic of bushings that are shot? Using my deWalt, I was amazed at the amount that came out wheel side - except for one.

Not in my experience. Even when I completed my rebuild of the suspension, I can still easily, especially with my battery gun (Dewalt also) get a lot of grease out quickly on both sides. I didn't actually notice much difference in greasing between good and bad.

[Hoopy Frood]

Now you have me confused. So if the bushing goes into the spring fairly easily and the bolt goes into the bushing fairly easily, are you saying you still need to ream the spring?

If the bushing goes in easily, by hand as you say, which it actually shouldn't, then reaming it isn't necessarily warranted, but it insures the bushing has no high spots. And FWIW, the bushing should need to be pressed in. Loose enough to fit by hand means it is loose enough that it could spin in the spring eye rather than around the retaining bolt.

[Hoopy Frood]

So when greasing, is grease coming out the opposite end (a lot and quickly) of the zerk symptomatic of bushings that are shot? Using my deWalt, I was amazed at the amount that came out wheel side - except for one.

I certainly wouldn't say the bearings are shot if the grease comes out quickly. And it wouldn't matter which end it comes out of, the hole is in the center, so it's as likely to go one way as another, and possibly both. The issue arises when you consider the grease comes out but there is no way to make the grease go around the outside circumference of the bolt, it's just going to find the easiest way out. If the bushing rotated in a full circle, or even most of a circle, the grease would get fairly evenly distributed, but they don't, the describe a very small arc and the grease doesn't go much anywhere most of the time...except out the end.

[dryfly]

After reading all the comments I'm not sure which way to go. I just received a set of Never Lube bushings, and I'm still not completely convinced they are the way to go. I'm not sure whether too keep them, send them back, or just order another set of bronze bushings and have both on hand in case I get in a bind.

Unlike other things on the trailer, it's not that easy to experiment with the different types, or frequently check them for wear.

Also, you always hear that positioning the grease hole at the 3 or 9 o'clock position solves the problem. I did that on all my wet bolts and I still have one in the equalizer that will not take grease, and one in a spring that is difficult.

[Hoopy Frood]

I say go for the Never Lube bushings. We need more data, need more data, need more data.

[Overtaxed]

After reading all the comments I'm not sure which way to go. I just received a set of Never Lube bushings, and I'm still not completely convinced they are the way to go. I'm not sure whether too keep them, send them back, or just order another set of bronze bushings and have both on hand in case I get in a bind.

Unlike other things on the trailer, it's not that easy to experiment with the different types, or frequently check them for wear.

Also, you always hear that positioning the grease hole at the 3 or 9 o'clock position solves the problem. I did that on all my wet bolts and I still have one in the equalizer that will not take grease, and one in a spring that is difficult.

Sadly, I'm not sure that either are great options, lots of failures reported with both. I think we just have to view these as a wear part and something that need attention on a regular basis. Which is pretty awful because it's a bear to change them.

Take the weight off the wheels. I've never had a problem getting grease in, even with a bushing that was blown apart, with the weight off the wheels. Granted, I do have a serious grease gun (10,000 PSI), but I've never had one not take grease.

[Riverbug]

If the bushing goes in easily, by hand as you say, which it actually shouldn't, then reaming it isn't necessarily warranted, but it insures the bushing has no high spots. And FWIW, the bushing should need to be pressed in. Loose enough to fit by hand means it is loose enough that it could spin in the spring eye rather than around the retaining bolt.

I'll have to see how this next one goes. Perhaps I'm remembering things as being easier than they were, but I know I pushed a couple in without other tools and the rest were tapped in with a hammer and not much force. I was surprised that it was so much easier than I expected. I'm guessing these Never Fail bushings should go in pretty easy...

[Riverbug]

I say go for the Never Lube bushings. We need more data, need more data, need more data.

My plan is to install the Never Fails in the next couple of months, travel through CO this summer, and down to FL and back next winter. The following spring before we head to AK, I'll pull things apart and see how they held up. With luck, I'll just slip it all back together. Otherwise, I guess it's back to wet bolts...

[Hoopy Frood]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[dryfly]

Take the weight off the wheels. I've never had a problem getting grease in, even with a bushing that was blown apart, with the weight off the wheels. Granted, I do have a serious grease gun (10,000 PSI), but I've never had one not take grease.

I tried weight off the wheels with my 10,000psi gun. Didn't work.