Chassis Lube

[lsu-sec]

Beware!  newbie question.  How often should I lube my truck's chassis?  What exactly needs to be lubed? and how do I do it?

 

Thanks

[chevy4x4trucks]

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=bco  

 

 

Go here and almost all of your answers on routine maintenance will be answered.

 

I'd do it every time you change the oil.  Just go to your local auto parts store and get a grease gun and I'd recommend the 12"flexible hose for it for some of those hard to reach fittings.

 

 

Welcome to the forum.

[RyanbabZ71]

i do mine every 3-5K miles.  More on the 5K mile interval.  

 

every other oil change

 

that site jon posted shows it all

 

 

 

[chevy4x4trucks]

that site jon posted shows it all

Oh whoops must've been the wrong site I posted.  Oh, you mean all about the chasis lube.  Phew, had me worried for a second there.  

[lsu-sec]

Thanks guys.  The pictures answer most questions.  

 

Question1: What kind of grease?

 

Question2: How much grease do I squeeze in?  I've heard too much can be a bad thing?

[silverado man]

to answer question 2.  You should have to pump more than like 2 or 3 times.

[chevy4x4trucks]

Go to the auto parts store and just tell them you need stuff to do a chasis lube.  They should be able to set you up w/ the proper type of grease.  Just pump it into the boots until it feels firm, usually 2-4 squeezes should do the job.  If you notice the boot not seated correctly or a tear in it just take it back to chevy.  If sand or salt get in the boot it will break down the components, so always inspect them when you do a chasis lube.

[RyanbabZ71]

Pump till the boot gets firm (2-4 pumps).  Most i have ever done was 4.  

 

Grease: I use the mobil synthetic stuff that comes in a tube.  Not very expensive its a redish purple color.  Silver tube

[mjsmith1223]

What sort of grease gun are you all using?  My grease will not fit into the spaces provided to get on the fittings.  Is there some sort of compact grease gun or something with a flexible hose?

 

Mike

[RyanbabZ71]

i got mine at autozone.  Dont know if it is special or not.  It fits one of those tubes of grease

[chevy4x4trucks]

What sort of grease gun are you all using?  My grease will not fit into the spaces provided to get on the fittings.  Is there some sort of compact grease gun or something with a flexible hose?

 

Mike

Sounds like you've got the wrong head on your grease gun.   I think the one you need is for a 6mm zirk fitting.  Don't quote me on it but I'm not 100% sure.  Go check out the local auto parts store, they should be the smaller head for it.  I've got a flexible 12" hose on mine, otherwise most places would be impossible to get to.

[NewbieZ71]

Jon:

doesnt the bco site recommend replacing one or two zirks with 90 degree ones?  can you do the lube without replacing them?  one more, is it possible to OVER lube or put too much in?

[chevy4x4trucks]

Newbie, c'mon you should know these things.  He recommends you replace one or two of them w/ a 90 degree fitting.  It's not required but it will save you a lot of headaches.  The one fitting you need about 4 hands to get to it.  You can over fill a grease fitting, just pump it until it's firm, not as firm as a tire, but enough that it gives you a little reistance when you push it.  I haven't changed my zirk fitting yet, I didn't have the correct wrench, I'll do it after winter.

[NewbieZ71]

Thanks, hate to admit this but I have never lubed the truck....myself that is, have it done with the oil...I did vacuum the interior though....that counts as maintenance, right?  And Zaino, I'm big on the Zaino......

[spham]

3-5K? I thought it was much longer more like 15-20k?