The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Lubrication frequency?

I have a ’53 ¾ ton and also have the shop manual. The manual has a lubrication chart that has most items like spring shackles, chassis, etc. every 1,000 miles. I am sure that the greases available back then were not near as good as the present ones. What do you “knowledgeable” guys believe should be a good lube schedule using modern grease?

Back in the 50's, grease was soap based and washed out from driving wet roads. Lube jobs were recommended every 1,000 miles or a wet road, whichever one came first. I now run my over the road trucks 25,000 between oil changes and lubrication. There is no comparison between the grease we have now to the grease we had 50 years ago.

I have found that even modern grease will work its way out of the spring shackles, kingpins, tie rod ends etc. I usually try to give these items a shot of grease every 1000 - 2000 miles or so. Every time I do this, the steering and ride is a little better. This one fact tells me that frequent greasing is required due to the original design.

I will also note that I put new spring bushings and shackles on my truck about 20 years ago, and when I replaced my springs recently, the old components were still good 'n greasy and like new (other than the cork seals at the shackles.)

So my opinion is to keep up with the lubrication schedule and use modern lubricants. I do agree that the engine oil drain time can be significantly increased. But even here, because the engine is "open" -draft tube and rocker arm cover vents in many engines- A more frequent change is advisable.


Kurt

I stick to the book with my 51, 1000 mile grease intervals and 3000 miles for the oil. If you look at the kingpin bushing design, there is very little space for the grease to reside so only a very small amount actually services the joint. Greasing items like U-joints allows a good inspection and a chance to see if they move while under pressure. I use the grease job occasion as an end to end inspection of the chassis.

Does it help to jack up the front axle and release some pressure when greasing the king pins?
John

Yes, it lets the grease get to the pressure spots it normally can not get to.

I grease mine once a year, but then thats only 1000 or so miles anyway.

Joe

Some folks always take the weight off the suspension, even the shackles. I don't jack up the rear for that but I do for the front king pins.

i,v spent most my life working on big and small trucks ,plant and buses and allways took the wieght of axle, king pins and the like at lubrication/inspection time it allows you to inspect things better and if you watch what appears from wearing surface,s whilst greasing it give,s you a good idea of the condition of parts you cant see easily
i / we allso greased steering and shackle,s more often in winter conditions which over time proved more cost effective by keeping water and salt/grit out so parts lasted longer and another point ,,,drivers didnt come in the yard ,moaning, about heavy steering and rattling suspension

The last 10 years or so all of my trucks have had dry bolt bushings on the front springs, but I still raise the front end a little to make sure grease gets everywhere in the king pins. I even go so far as to make sure they release the brakes when they grease the cams.