Lubricating U-joints/drive shaft

[toban]

I have a 2004 DSDP with a 370 HP Cummins engine. I'm curious in knowing how often do you lubricate/grease the above? I know if you let it go too long the u-joints can fail you. Also, how often do you lub the rest of the chassis?

Toban

[JRscooby]

When I was working on the highway, once a week I would do driveline. In town, more often.

Something owners of MH should think about; A pro driver is required to check the adjustment of brakes every day. With auto-slack adjusters working right, we rarely need to use a wrench. I know the chance of a RVer doing that check is 0, in fact most would have no idea how to check. But it takes very little binding to stop the auto adjust. In fact grease dried inside can make the MH take a longer distance to stop.

[udidwht]

While in Grants Pass, Or at Jerry's Clutch and Transmission I got to chat with the father (original owner in his late 80s early 90s). He recommends every 9000 - 10000 miles (US). They rebuild axles and drive shafts as well. Great shop been in business for 50+ years.

[down_home]

Greased at every service or once a year. One thing I have them do and some places object is wipe excess grease that oozes out of u joints or others. It gets throw everywhere including the exhaust and even the radiator.
Some ends up on towed.
Helps a whole lot.

[lfeather]

Twomed wrote:
Spicer...the folks that make the joints say every 5,000 miles. Twice a year on mine...just did them yesterday. 🙂

That's what my book says; lube U joints every 5000 miles.

Larry

[hershey]

DSDP Don wrote:

There is a secret to lubing the driveshaft. Most of the u-joints have two grease fittings, one on each side. Either one will fill the u-joint. Just make sure you see grease coming out of each cap. The slip joint has one fitting in the center of the tube. They hold a lot of grease. As you fill the slip joint, grease will eventually run out of a small hole at the back of the yoke, between the yoke and the u-joint. When grease starts coming out of the hole, you need to get a finger in there and plug the hole. It's difficult to do while still pumping the grease gun. It's much easier with an air gun. Once you block the hole, keep pumping until grease comes out where the slip joint moves in and out on the splined shaft.

Take the time to read the above quote on the greasing process for the U-joint(s) and slip joint. One needs to follow that process to insure proper and complete lubrication. I grease all fittings at oil change (7500 miles) but I grease the U-Joint and slip joint again in between oil changes.

[toban]

On the slip joint, I over filled it once by plugging the hole at the end of the shaft while pumping the grease in and indeed I had excess grease thrown all over the place underneath. A big truck stop said give it 10-12 pumps and that's it.

Toban

[randallb]

Our 08 HR manual recommended lubing the u-joints every 5,000 miles. I carried a grease gun with me and would slide under prior to setting up in a CG while we were full timing looking for our retirement home. Lubing the driveshaft does not take more than 5 minutes. The rest of the chassis would get lubed when the oil got changed. I highly recommend following the manufacturer's schedule on the u-joints. It is easier and cheaper to lube them than it is to replace them.
Randy

[Triker33]

Freightliner chassis is every 6,000 miles or once a year.

When I do mine it takes most of the day. I'm old and I take a lot of breaks. 🙂

It's no 30 minute job for me anymore.
Hell it takes me 30 minutes just to get the air hose, paper towels, plastic bag to hold used towels, vinyl gloves, spare grease tube & grease gun out and hooked up, ready to go.

[FIRE_UP]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
All it takes is a grease gun and about 30 minutes of time. I've never heard of a problem with greasing a chassis too much. Besides it gives me a good chance to check the underside of the coach for any other issues that might be developing that I can take care of before they become a serious problem.
A lifetime's worth of grease is less expensive than any suspension or drive train component. I grease the chassis before every trip and if I am parked at a nice site, I will grease it again during a trip.

Well, I have to agree with this. No one's ever heard of "over greasing". Mine gets it very much like rgatignets. The way I figure it, these things are seriously heavy. They put a lot of strain on ANYTHING THAT'S LUBABLE. So, helping them along and, making things easier on all those pivotal parts, is just a way of preserving expensive parts.
Scott

[rgatijnet1]

All it takes is a grease gun and about 30 minutes of time. I've never heard of a problem with greasing a chassis too much. Besides it gives me a good chance to check the underside of the coach for any other issues that might be developing that I can take care of before they become a serious problem.
A lifetime's worth of grease is less expensive than any suspension or drive train component. I grease the chassis before every trip and if I am parked at a nice site, I will grease it again during a trip.

[Ivylog]

15k miles which is not once a year for me. Other than the two on the drum brakes (S cam & slack adjuster) more is better. If you drive in the rain a lot then I'd go at least once a year.

[Twomed]

Spicer...the folks that make the joints say every 5,000 miles. Twice a year on mine...just did them yesterday. 🙂

[w4phj]

I grease my driveshaft every 6 months. Since my MH is used lightly,
time is my determining factor, not mileage. All zerks get greased
every February as it is nice and cool in FL then.

[moisheh]

Mowermech: You are incorrect if we are talking about DP's. They have lots of grease fittings: tie rod ends, drag link, steering gear u joints and of course king pins. There are 2 fittings on each of my driveshaft u joints. Monaco recommends the u joints be greased every 5000 miles. I do mine twice a year. There are also grease fittings for the air brake shafts. DP's are not some puny chassis. They are very HD. Even if you have a late model gas chassis I would grease it more often than once a year. Grease is cheap. Parts are not.

Moisheh