Lets Talk GREASE and PM

EastCoastCB · 01-29-2018, 08:04 AM

Lets have a discussion about grease. And PM intervals.
How often are you lubing the chassis/driveline?

I'm of the mindset that everything should be greased at every oil change. Grease is a lot cheaper and easier than component replacement.
I saw a few threads on the School Bus Fleet forum and thought I'd start a similar topic here since I don't see it come up a whole lot.

grease types and intervals - School Bus Fleet Magazine Forums

So how often are you doing this stuff, and what products are you using?

rensch26 · 01-29-2018, 08:54 AM

I usually hit all of my zerks once a year. But I'm probably only putting less than 5,000 miles a year on my skoolie. I use Mobil CM grease. The first time I ever lubed my skoolie after purchasing it I went through quite a bit of grease. The school district must not have been very good about performing that maintenance. I probably put ~70 pumps of grease into the driveshaft slip joint.

EastCoastCB · 01-29-2018, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rensch26

I usually hit all of my zerks once a year. But I'm probably only putting less than 5,000 miles a year on my skoolie. I use Mobil CM grease. The first time I ever lubed my skoolie after purchasing it I went through quite a bit of grease. The school district must not have been very good about performing that maintenance. I probably put ~70 pumps of grease into the driveshaft slip joint.

They're usually pretty dry!

Booyah45828 · 01-31-2018, 03:58 PM

I hit em all once a year as well. Usually in the spring time when I'm getting it ready for the summer. Less then 500 miles per year here.

Biggest thing with greasing joints is to make sure the zerk is cleaned off before hitting them. You'll ruin a joint just as quickly with dirt in the grease as you would without greasing them at all. Part of the reason behind the "lifetime" U joints out now.

I use shell Gadus grease. Any grease should be good as long as its from a reputable manufacturer.

EastCoastCB · 01-31-2018, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

I hit em all once a year as well. Usually in the spring time when I'm getting it ready for the summer. Less then 500 miles per year here.

Biggest thing with greasing joints is to make sure the zerk is cleaned off before hitting them. You'll ruin a joint just as quickly with dirt in the grease as you would without greasing them at all. Part of the reason behind the "lifetime" U joints out now.

I use shell Gadus grease. Any grease should be good as long as its from a reputable manufacturer.

Yeah! Cleaning off the fitting is crucial!

Mr4btTahoe · 01-31-2018, 04:17 PM

Another part of the "lifetime" joints is strength. No lube port means no hole through the body where stress cracks can start to form.

As far as lubing everything... On our work trucks, I grease everything ever oil change which is 7500-10000 miles. Typically, the grease is nasty and contaminated with water by this point.

For the bus, I plan on greasing everything before each outing (using as an RV mainly). I'd say every 3k or so would be ideal unless on a long single trip.. then 5k or so.

Johnny Mullet · 01-31-2018, 07:43 PM

I do this for a living. For diesel trucks whether commercial or personal = 12,000 mile complete LOF (lube/oil/filters) and then a 6,000 mile grease job. Grease once a year regardless of miles.

2kool4skool · 02-01-2018, 08:38 AM

Give those u-joints a good look too. I saw a sign of the bearing cup rotating before it failed. Opened it up and it was a mess. Better in my driveway than on the road.

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f39/u-joint-q-13294.html

oredigger · 02-01-2018, 10:36 AM

Good information here. Thanks. Any recommendations on a grease gun?

Twigg · 02-01-2018, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oredigger

Good information here. Thanks. Any recommendations on a grease gun?

Harbor Freight has an air-driven grease gun that has good reviews.

Booyah45828 · 02-01-2018, 11:21 AM

The last gun I bought was this one from lincoln off of amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-1162-.../dp/B0019COQ6C

Lasted close to 8 years in the shop before the pump quit working. Electric ones from my experience are more expensive up front and the batteries will usually be junk after a few years.

EastCoastCB · 02-01-2018, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twigg

Harbor Freight has an air-driven grease gun that has good reviews.

Its what I use.

Robin97396 · 02-01-2018, 11:57 AM

The battery in my itty bitty skill saw didn't even last to months. Those batteries are designed to make you buy more batteries.

For you electrical types out there, you must be as frustrated with batteries going out on these power tools too. Why hasn't someone designed a corded receptacle that can power the battery powered tools without a battery. I'm not sure if I'm saying that right, but a small transformer and a cord would allow people to use these previously battery powered tools that are for sale cheap everywhere? Every other type of adapter possible is out there available. Why is no one filling that nisch?

Rusty · 02-01-2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rensch26

I probably put ~70 pumps of grease into the driveshaft slip joint.

Don't fill-up the driveshaft !!!!

sorry, couldn't resist.

Convertabus · 02-01-2018, 06:38 PM

Upon my first servicing, I took off my front hub covers to repack the bearings, I decided to drill holes in the centers and insert zerts. Glad I did. Now I never wonder whether there is grease in them. I just inject them with my pneumatic grease gun from Harbor Freight.

ol trunt · 02-01-2018, 08:41 PM

May be good for disc brakes but could be a problem with drum brakes if the rear seal blows out and the brake shoes get greased. Jack

Tango · 02-02-2018, 10:38 AM

Yeah...but if you grease your brake shoes they will last longer.

EastCoastCB · 02-02-2018, 10:39 AM

I'm alarmed that my muffler doesn't have a fitting for those pesky bearings!

adic27 · 02-20-2021, 08:38 PM

So, I assume (based on one person in this thread) any grease is OK? Gonna be taking on this task pretty soon, as soon as I figure out exactly what the hell im supposed to be greasing lol. Does grease color matter? Synthetic or not? High temp or conventional, etc.? Nobody here really mentioned anything in detail. Forgive me for reviving this old post

Would this work fine..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CQ4DIM...8GKJQZXHWACXQH

Would appreciate any tips

Thanks

ISAF2009 · 02-20-2021, 09:03 PM

Every oil change or once a year with whatever marine grease thats on sale. When I am feeling spendy and doing wheel bearings its lucas red&tacky saturated fat and sassy like my girlfriends.

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