Greasing wet bolts

[Dgeisser]

I greased the suspension on my 2021 model 3120 for the first time . Several of the zerk fittings would not except grease. Some one suggest I take the zerk fittings off and pull the hardened grease out with a wire . Any other ideas?

[rohrmann]

Don’t think the rig being that new would have grease hardened up yet. What may help would be using the leveling system to take some weight off the suspension. Years ago I tossed the one handed grease gun for a full size lever type so I could get the maximum pressure to the zerks. Several months ago, I did have to remove a couple wet bolts to clean out the grease and also reposition them so the grease port was at the 9:00 or 3:00 o’clock position so they could be greased without picking the rig up.

[Dgeisser]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

Don’t think the rig being that new would have grease hardened up yet. What may help would be using the leveling system to take some weight off the suspension. Years ago I tossed the one handed grease gun for a full size lever type so I could get the maximum pressure to the zerks. Several months ago, I did have to remove a couple wet bolts to clean out the grease and also reposition them so the grease port was at the 9:00 or 3:00 o’clock position so they could be greased without picking the rig up.

Interesting . Thanks. How do you keep the leaf spring in place when you remove the wet bolts?

[Dgeisser]

Hi again .Still figuring out this blog system. Thanks for the info. How do you keep the spring in place when you remove the wet bolts?

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by Dgeisser

Interesting . Thanks. How do you keep the leaf spring in place when you remove the wet bolts?

Sometimes you have to manhandle them in place with a prybar and/or bottle jack.

[Randu]

My experience with wet bolts is to have the load of the trailer off of the springs. Not so much that the tires are off the ground but close. Most wet bolts are installed with openings in a 3 or 9 o'clock position. If you get one that don't take grease then adjust load on springs slightly and try again.

[rohrmann]

Originally Posted by Dgeisser

Hi again .Still figuring out this blog system. Thanks for the info. How do you keep the spring in place when you remove the wet bolts?

The number of times I've had to remove wet bolts, either to replace a spring or the wet bolts, I've lifted the rig with the hydraulics and then used a small bottle jack under the spring at the axle. It is easier with the wheel removed. When I have removed/replaced a wet bolt, I normally remove one at a time and put it back in before going to another. Spring replacement is about the same except you are removing the spring pack from the axle, so the U-bolts must be removed also, and still using a bottle jack under the axle.

[Ram Montana High Country]

THE ORIGINAL GREASE BUSTER® - CLEAR OUT CLOGGED GREASE FITTINGS. This is on the "lock-n-Lube" website. Put oil in the tool, line it up on the zerk and smack it with a hammer

[77cruiser]

Sometimes give them a good wack with a hammer will let them take grease.

[Montana Man]

Be aware that just because a fitting takes grease doesn't mean grease is flowing everywhere it is needed.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Most of them on our 2020 wouldn't take grease either. Discovered quite by accident the trick of taking the load off with the jacks. That's how I do it all the time now.

[allenclme]

Same here. My 2017 had two that wouldn't take grease. I had to take the load off, back off the nut, rotate the bolt, and then it would take grease.

[Mikelff]

As some have stated, your bolt grease holes need to be at the 9 and 3 o'clock position. Check your bolts are installed correctly, as many are not, and will cause this problem. If installed correctly, greasing your bolts should not be a problem, especially if you do it on a regular basis. Not to say this hard grease will never be an issue, but its usually caused by old grease. Like others have said taking some weight off also helps, especially if the bolts are not positioned correctly.

[Our3231CK]

Could anyone supply a couple of photo's of these, please?

[Reset19]

I have a 2019 3120 and I had the same issue. Taking pressure off the bolts allowed me to get grease in some but not all. I finally drove out the bolts one at a time to align the grease outlet at 9:00. While doing this I found the issue is grit from wear on the leaf spring mounting bushing was packed into the grease outlet hole. The grease holes were facing up closer to 12:00. I was able to clean out the grease port. I reinstalled at 9:00. I can now inject grease into all of the wet bolts. I recommend a 90 degree elbow at the zirc attachment. I found the bushings in very poor condition and replaced several.

[John and Barbara]

I had to remove several wet bolts. some were packed with a hard material which i had to pry out with a pick, others were not in the 9:00 - 3:00 position. When I re-installed I placed a small pry bar between spring and mount to maintain a small amount of clearance while tightening the wet bolts. They take grease well now.

[Doug Brown]

Originally Posted by Dgeisser

I greased the suspension on my 2021 model 3120 for the first time . Several of the zerk fittings would not except grease. Some one suggest I take the zerk fittings off and pull the hardened grease out with a wire . Any other ideas?

Take a 12 inch creset wrench and turn a half turn. It works every time for me.

[Rondo]

Just a CAUTION note! The torque for a wet bolt nut is not to be over 50#. If you torque them any tighter than this you take the chance of stripping the bolt and/or nut.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Doug Brown

Take a 12 inch creset wrench and turn a half turn. It works every time for me.

Do not do this. The wet bolts have a serrated edge that keeps the bolt for rotating. Using a large wrench to turn the bolts in place destroys the serrations. Now the bolt is free to rotate as the suspension moves resulting the holes not being in the 3 and 9 o'clock position.