New Owners--Grease The Suspension!

[howson]

May I suggest that you get a grease gun and push some grease in the wet bolts. It looks like you have the typical red grease wiped on the zerk fittings and no grease actually pushed through the bolts. I would bet when you push black grease through the zerk fittings there will be no red grease come out.

Jerry--you were 100% correct. I am by no means an expert with a grease gun, but I know old grease should push out when new goes in. With a trailer that is only a few months old and with less than 2,000 miles I expected to see grease come out before the new pushed through. Nope. Nothing. Nada. It took quite a few pumps to see evidence of grease.

I urge other fellow new owners to tackle their suspension as soon as it is practical. Don't wait for the first year inspection (or mileage accumulation).

Now to the process I used. Please feel free to critique as I'm sure I didn't do it 100% correct.

Step 1: Insert grease with weight on the wheels. There were some zerks that refused to take grease. (Did I mention the LockNLube is awesome?)

Step 2: One wheel at a time, I reversed the tension on the suspension by using my Trailer Aid to raise a wheel into the air. As noted in other posts, I had to use an additional piece of wood to get the wheel off the ground. On the side in the air I tried each zerk fitting again. Most took grease, one refused. Using a block of wood and a 1.5 ton car jack (it's all I have) I jacked under the U-bolts at the end of the axle just enough to eliminate tension on the suspension. The one zerk fitting giving me fits finally took grease. I then moved the Trailer Aid to the wheel on the same side and hit the zerk fittings one more time (a total of three times on each zerk fitting).

I used Mobil1 Synthetic (it is on Dexter's approved grease list).

There is one fitting on the utility side that concerns me. It's where the Equalizer attaches to the Center Hanger. I could not get grease to exit on the opposite side from the zerk fitting. The grease exited quickly on the front side, closest to the zerk fitting. I suspect no grease went through the bolt/bearing sleeve. Is the answer to remove tension from both wheels on that side and try again? (Raise the trailer by the frame and then support the suspension?) I don't have any 3 ton bottle jacks (yet) so if that is what I have to do this project will have to wait. I surely don't want to disassemble the suspension.

The inside vertical section of the center hanger is noticeably bent, too, while the outside section of the hanger is perfectly vertical. There's no evidence of an impact or marring of the paint, so it looks like the hanger has always been that way. I'll keep an eye on it.

I did not get out my torque wrench, but I did a visual and "finger check" of all the suspension nuts and bolts. Nothing to report--everything looks fine except for minor surface rust I'll have to tackle at some point.

Finally, thank you to whomever suggested I use the truck in 4WD Low when making small movements. (I think it was [MENTION=7744]Matt&Dana[/MENTION] in this thread .) It sure made it easier to control the RV.

 

[bertschb]

My Reflection showed up with no grease at all in the wet bolts. I hope our new Solitude gets some grease from the factory since it's a 2,000 mile drive from the factory to our place.

 

[JCZhome]

I experienced the same with the pivot on my 5th wheel hitch (not the plate itself but the zert fittings).

 

[TucsonJim]

Good info Howard. Since this is a related topic, I'm going to pose a question in response to your thread to see if anyone knows the answer.

Q - Does anyone have information on how many miles properly installed and lubricated bronze bushings should last? I did an internet search and couldn't find an answer.

Jim

 

[SouthTX]

Even worse than no grease from the factory is no grease and someone tried to make it look like they had been greased.

Someone else on here had commented that they had found red grease on the zerk, but it was dry. I made a point of using black chassis grease to see if any red was squeezed out. Nada, zero, zip red grease. I would think that GD would pick up on stuff like this if they really want owners to think they care. That's just plain deceptive.

 

[SGillis]

Hi ! I have a 2017 315..I can not find and grease zerks any 2here on my suspension. Was that something they new they added? Mine is popping and a cracking. We have not had it very long. We winter camp and are getting ready to bring it out. Thanks ! Scott

 

[Aridon]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7LPKKU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just buy one. Yes it is expensive. Yes it is worth it.

I had a handful of fitting that would not take grease. Rather than screw around with lifting the unit up and down to relieve pressure I bought that piece. No issues with grease. The entire process is MUCH easier now. I isn't a PIA to do, the entire process is so much easier and enjoyable now. Just buy it.

 

[SGillis]

Thanks Aridon ! I can use that on my Suburban also !
The question I have and I must not of worded it correctly . I am sorry.
People are talking about wet bolts abd grease zerks on their suspensions. I can not seem to find any on mine. I know you can buy a up grade kit for them.
But I did not know if in 2018 or 2019 if they came out of the factory that way or I was missing them ? Thanks ! Scott

 

[Country Campers]

SGillis
I believe that GD went to Dexter axels and wet bolts around August or September of 2017. Check your build date or the sticker on the back of the axels.
The place to check for the wet bolts is on the back side of the springs away from the tires. This end will have the zerks if you have them.

Brian

 

[Chiefblueman]

Hi ! I have a 2017 315..I can not find and grease zerks any 2here on my suspension. Was that something they new they added? Mine is popping and a cracking. We have not had it very long. We winter camp and are getting ready to bring it out. Thanks ! Scott

SGillis, I have a 2017 315RLTS, build date Nov. 2016. There were no wetbolts, just plastic bushings already worn out from the trip from the factory.
Country Campers, when the change to Dexter axles with wet bolts took place, I believe GDRV also changed to 16inch tires and wheels. Chances are if SGillis's 315 has 15inch wheels there will be no wetbolts.
SGillis, if you haven't checked your brakes for grease contamination you might want to take a look. All 4 sets on mine were contaminated.

 

[BigGuy82]

Go to my recent post - “Suspension Greasing Tips” - you might find it helpful. By the way, I do a grease job every 5,000 miles and I use Red Line grease.

https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/20378-Suspension-Greasing-Tips

 

[SGillis]

Thanks Chiefblueman! Have you went to MORyde suspension yet? If so what one did you use? I am hoping to get through the winter with the factory set-up.
Yes I did check the brakes and seals! And yes they were leaking! Scott

 

[powerscol]

Just a note - while under there check the torque on the spring hangers (U-bolts holding spring to axle) Many have found them loose. There is a separate thread on this a while back.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Thanks Chiefblueman! Have you went to MORyde suspension yet? If so what one did you use? I am hoping to get through the winter with the factory set-up.
Yes I did check the brakes and seals! And yes they were leaking! Scott

I used the CRE3000 equalizers and Morryde shackle and wet bolt kit.http://www.morryde.com/products/70-heavy-duty-shackle-upgrade-kit
I'm very happy with these products. The shackle kit is about $85 on Amazon. The Equalizers were for 35 inch wheelbase I think, best to check and make sure which one to use. Measure between the ends of the axles, I'm pretty sure it's 35 inches. I suffer from CRS.

If you're not towing you can get away without changing the bushings. If you will be doing much towing I'd highly recommend getting those plastic bushings replaced. Mine were worn through on delivery. Contact Grand Design about the leaking seals, they may still replace them for you. If replacing your greasy brakes, that would be the time to install the EQ's and the suspension parts.

Good advice from powerscol, the U-bolts will likely need re-torqueing. They should be checked periodically until the stabilize.

 

[SGillis]

Thank you powerscol and Chiefblueman! I will check those u bolts. I am towing this so I will have to replace that stuff. I have that same CRS problem. Yea I called GD and LCI. They dont care whats going on when you are the second owner! Scott

 

[Wicked ace]

Reviving an old thread but no truer words spoken than to check......everything! GD is nowhere near what it's cracked up to be. I too noticed GLOBS or grease on the zirk fittings of my suspension. I got suspicious and went to work with my grease gun. ALL of the wet bolts and the equalizers were dry. I didn't push anything out until I saw my new grease come through. Four I couldn't get anything to go through. Since I had an appointment with the dealer already they got the job of greasing them. They wanted to bill me time because they had to take the apart and clean out the rust and reinstall before they would take grease. A nice B!^(h session with Grand Design customer service, pointing out the lack of workmanship as detailed in their warranty got that removed.
It's really nice to have the wet bolts but they should be installed properly and greasing them is part of the installation.

 

[kb0zke]

Reviving the old thread yet again.

We're picking up our 2022 Reflection tomorrow and I'll be sure to check for signs of "fake" grease. Since this is a new trailer, I'm assuming that it comes with a new trailer warranty. I don't want to do anything to void that warranty, so I don't think I'll be changing anything on the suspension - yet. Next year may be a different story.

I'll probably be getting a grease gun in the near future, though. Since we're full-timers, I suspect that I'll be doing most of the routine maintenance. I'll probably start a thread about grease, grease guns, and other tools next week, after we get the new trailer home and we can start getting things moved from the Foretravel into the Reflection.

 

[kb0zke]

Well, the new Reflection 315RLTS is home and we're moving in. I asked about greasing the axles and was told that I don't need to grease anything, and that there aren't any zerks. We've been busy moving in, so I haven't had time to crawl around underneath to see what's what. We have discovered some minor discrepancies between what's in the trailer and what we read, so I don't know for sure what I actually have until I verify it. Are there some trailers that don't need zerks?

 

[FlyStar]

My Reflection 312 bhts has 14 Zerk fittings on what are called “wet bolts” that attach the springs to the frame and to a thing called the CRE 3000 between the axles. And. I too was not informed that they should be greased.

The rig started to creak and moan after a few thousand miles.

Now I grease em all every couple of thousand miles.

 

[Redapple63]

Well, the new Reflection 315RLTS is home and we're moving in. I asked about greasing the axles and was told that I don't need to grease anything, and that there aren't any zerks.

Glad you got it home ok. Unless they changed stuff there are zerks. When you have time go underneath and verify.

Now the fin starts!

Bill