Spring Wet Bolts Question

[Focker]

I lubed all my wet bolts on the springs yesterday and one bolt only allowed great to flow out at the front of the spring, all the others had grease come out both sides. This concerns me that grease is not flowing through the entire bushing to give lubrication. Does anyone have suggestions?

 

[BryanValRox]

I lubed all my wet bolts on the springs yesterday and one bolt only allowed great to flow out at the front of the spring, all the others had grease come out both sides. This concerns me that grease is not flowing through the entire bushing to give lubrication. Does anyone have suggestions?

Hello Focker,
I think it boils down to this.
Ensure that the load is off of the suspension when greasing, if this is your normal process the only other option that I know of is disassembly and inspection. Flush the pin out, ensure all the paths are open, pre grease it during the reinstallation process.
This will give you piece of mind knowing the paths are open and grease is present where it is supposed to be.

Your timing is perfect, I just got done greasing our 310RL for Thursday’s departure.

 

[Todd F]

There could be pressure on the wetbolt hole inside the bushing depending on which way the hole is oriented. You may try jacking up that wheel to relieve the pressure while greasing

 

[Midnight Rider]

Hello Focker,
I think it boils down to this.
Ensure that the load is off of the suspension when greasing, if this is your normal process the only other option that I know of is disassembly and inspection. Flush the pin out, ensure all the paths are open, pre grease it during the reinstallation process.
This will give you piece of mind knowing the paths are open and grease is present where it is supposed to be.

Your timing is perfect, I just got done greasing our 310RL for Thursday’s departure.

Who provides the service to get all the wet bolts, wheel bearings and stuff besides my camper store? Anyone else had success?
besides doing myself?

 

[Focker]

There could be pressure on the wetbolt hole inside the bushing depending on which way the hole is oriented. You may try jacking up that wheel to relieve the pressure while greasing

The traier was jacked up I was putting on new tires at the same time so I am going to take your advice and try with tires on the ground... just need to change the zerk fitting that is a 45 or 90. I sure wish the wetbolts were installed with the zerk fittings to the inside so tires didn't have to be removed.

 

[Focker]

Who provides the service to get all the wet bolts, wheel bearings and stuff besides my camper store? Anyone else had success?
besides doing myself?

There are some good shops that provide service and probably better than most RV dealers. in the case of my area, a couple of tire shops also provide axle service.

 

[Socal-Paul]

Okay all I'm up for showing my ignorance, how does jacking the axle up take the load off the springs? It seems to me that to take the load off the springs you need to let the springs hang maybe by using the leveling jacks to take some of the load off.

 

[BryanValRox]

Okay all I'm up for showing my ignorance, how does jacking the axle up take the load off the springs? It seems to me that to take the load off the springs you need to let the springs hang maybe by using the leveling jacks to take some of the load off.

Hi Paul,
I agree with your assessment. I think what folks might have been trying to say, is that if the suspension is in fact hanging under its own weight , that placing some upward pressure via the axle, might help find that neutral load point when things are on the tipping point between loaded and unloaded, in an attempt to get grease to flow.

The other thing that comes into play here is that the hydraulic pressure from the grease being pumped in will always take the path of least resistance.

 

[Todd F]

@BryanValRox has a very good explanation above. I also found this diagram online that may help also. With the grease hole being at the 6 o'clock position where all the weight of the rv is. A grease gun won't be able to build enough hydraulic pressure to overcome the weight of the rv. Moving the spring and hangers by jacking should move the pressure point a bit to allow a gap for the grease to enter. I think we're only talking a few thousands of an inch here?

 

[RockDr896]

I can confirm. I thought mine were seized after 1 year, until I took some weight off using the jacks. Piece of cake after that.

 

[rick 6621]

I have replaced the plastic bushings for bronze, rv came with plastic bushings and wet bolts. If you purchase new wet bolts in the install instruction it advises you to install the wet bolt at the 11 o'clock position. (that"s the hole in the shaft of the bolt) When checking the wet bolt make sure you have bronze bushings not plastic. I took one trip to Arizona from Ontario Canada approx: 2500 miles and the plastic bushing were well worn, and adding grease to plastic is not a good idea.

 

[PotatoPirate]

I have replaced the plastic bushings for bronze, rv came with plastic bushings and wet bolts. If you purchase new wet bolts in the install instruction it advises you to install the wet bolt at the 11 o'clock position. (that"s the hole in the shaft of the bolt) When checking the wet bolt make sure you have bronze bushings not plastic. I took one trip to Arizona from Ontario Canada approx: 2500 miles and the plastic bushing were well worn, and adding grease to plastic is not a good idea.

I wonder if they're thinking a synthetic compound bushing would not require grease, similar to the slick plate/lube plate in lieu of grease...? Just thinking outloud

 

[rick 6621]

Great idea