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Topic: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Yahoo Message Number: 57131
Friends,
 During a recent oil change the service writer asked if I wished a lube service. I told him I had heard there were no Zerk fitting on my chassis and asked what he would lube. He replied that he would lube door hinges etc. so I told him not to bother.
 A recent mailing from the Ford Motorhome Center included a maintenance interval list, a decoding of the VIN and recommended lube points for my chassis. Whoa! What's that? So I called the Center again.

The correct info is that there are indeed no Zerk fittings on my chassis but there are four "lube points": the right and left tie rod ends, the drag link end and the steering gear arm. I will be sure to have these lubricated on the next oil change and thought the info might be of use to the group.

Paul NE 50
Re: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 57137
It has always been my belief that an owner is responsible to know, to learn what services including lubrication points his vehicle requires. There is just too much incompetence in the vehicle service business. Remember, a service writer's job is to sell service, to increase the bottom line for his business; that is all. If you are not willing or able to learn what services are required you best darn sure have a mechanic you can trust. I would recommend the chassis manufacturer if you have no such person or shop.
Paul, in your case a competent service writer would have said "Mr customer, you do have lubrication points that require service. I would be glad to point them out to you or show you on the lubrication chart for your chassis." But I guess, you got a blank stare and he told you what he had been coached to say.
My '05 E450 chassis has the zerk lubrication points that you mentioned and it also has plugs in the ball joints where zerk fittings can be inserted and those ball joints lubricated. The lubrication points that Ford mentions ARE Zerk fittings. Zerk is the industry standard lubrication fitting for lubrication points. I will install zerk fittings and lubricate my ball joints when I service my unit.
Good luck, sounds like you are on the right path to learn about your unit.

ray

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Quote
During a recent oil change the service writer asked if I wished a lube service. I told him I had heard there were no Zerk fitting on my chassis and asked what he would lube. He replied that he would lube door hinges etc. so I told him not to bother.

A recent mailing from the Ford Motorhome Center included a maintenance interval list, a decoding of the VIN and recommended lube points for my chassis. Whoa! What's that? So I called the Center again.

The correct info is that there are indeed no Zerk fittings on my chassis but there are four "lube points": the right and left tie rod ends, the drag link end and the steering gear arm. I will be sure to
Re: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 57140
Ray,

Your reply has me a little puzzled when you say,

"My '05 E450 chassis has the zerk lubrication points that you mentioned and it also has plugs in the ball joints where zerk fittings can be inserted and those ball joints lubricated. The lubrication points that Ford mentions ARE Zerk fittings. Zerk is the industry standard lubrication fitting for lubrication points. I will install zerk fittings and lubricate my ball joints when I service my unit."
 If "the lubrication points that Ford mentions are Zerk fittings" why is it necessary for you to "install Zerk fittings" yourself? How can a dealer service these lube points without installing Zerk fittings and you can't?

Perhaps it's symantics but is does appear, both from Ford and your post, that Zerk fittings are not installed in the Ford E-450 chassis and that either the dealer or you would have to install Zerk FITTINGS at the Zerk POINTS in order to use a grease gun. Do I understand this correctly yet?

Paul NE 50
Re: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 57143
Paul, lets approach the lubrication issue from another angle.
There are four lubrication points on my '05. Any Ford twin I-beam front end I've ever seen has had these four as a minimum. These lub points each have a zerk fitting. Those locations are:
1.Pitman arm to the main tie rod--This tie rod runs to passenger  side of the vehicle.
2.Driver's side tie rod end
3.Passenger's side tie rod end
4.Short tie rod from driver's side to the main tie rod connection
 poins.
Again, the above lubrication points are zerk fittings and have been on all Ford front ends of this type that I've ever seen. I think this '05 is my 14th twin I-beam Ford front end.
Now we go to the ball joints.
Ford has changed its policy on lubrication of the ball joints over the years. My 1995 E350 chassis did not have lubricaton points, zerks, or even have the place to install zerks. BTW, those ball joints were replaced, under warranty by Ford, before the MH had 36,000 miles.  I currently own a Ford F350 that has no provision to lubricate the ball joints at all. Ball joins in this vehicle are still tight at 98k miles. BTW, same front end as the E series front end.
Now we go to my E450. There are no zerk fittings in any of the four ball joints. There are plugs where zerk fittings can be installed. I can only speculate as to why Ford chose not to install zerks in these ball joints. Was it money saving, 25 cents per fitting or was it not wanting the seals blown on the ball joints! I don't know. I know that when I get to the first service interval I will spend the couple $$ and install zerk fittings in those ball joints. (VBG) Paul,  Hope I've covered it, if not, feel free to ask more.

ray
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Quote
Your reply has me a little puzzled when you say,

"My '05 E450 chassis has the zerk lubrication points that you mentioned and it also has plugs in the ball joints where zerk fittings can be inserted and those ball joints lubricated. The lubrication points that Ford mentions ARE Zerk fittings. Zerk is the industry standard lubrication fitting for lubrication points. I will install zerk fittings and lubricate my ball joints when I service my unit."

If "the lubrication points that Ford mentions are Zerk fittings" why is it necessary for you to "install Zerk fittings" yourself? How
can a
 
Quote
dealer service these lube points without installing Zerk fittings and you can't?

Perhaps it's symantics but is does appear, both from Ford and your post, that Zerk fittings are not installed in the Ford E-450 chassis and that either the dealer or you would have to install Zerk FITTINGS at the Zerk POINTS in order to use a grease gun. Do I understand this
Re: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 57185
Quote
Ray,

Your reply has me a little puzzled when you say,

"My '05 E450 chassis has the zerk lubrication points that you mentioned and it also has plugs in the ball joints where zerk fittings can be inserted and those ball joints lubricated. The lubrication points that Ford mentions ARE Zerk fittings. Zerk is the industry standard lubrication fitting for lubrication points. I will install zerk fittings and lubricate my ball joints when I service my unit."

If "the lubrication points that Ford mentions are Zerk fittings" why is it necessary for you to "install Zerk fittings" yourself? How
can a
 
Quote
dealer service these lube points without installing Zerk fittings and you can't?

Perhaps it's symantics but is does appear, both from Ford and your post, that Zerk fittings are not installed in the Ford E-450 chassis and that either the dealer or you would have to install Zerk FITTINGS at the Zerk POINTS in order to use a grease gun. Do I understand this correctly yet?

Paul NE 50
Hello Paul, From reading the other replies on this subject, I hope you have gained the info you wanted.  That said, there is one enhancement to the postings for your consideration: The current Ford E450 front suspension ball joints do need high pressure grease for maximum service life.  However, they don't need grease applications as often as do the front end joints on which Ford installs grease fittings.  Many Ford owners get their grease jobs done by employees who are trained to apply grease until they see grease coming out of the joint being greased.  That can be bad for ball joints, as it may displace the ball joint seal.  That seal's purpose is to keep dirt out of the ball joint and it shouldn't be displaced.  Also, effective greasing of a ball joint requires that the 'load' be taken off the joint when grease is applied.  That is done by using a chassis jack, not a grease pit or a wheel lift as many 'grease houses' use to service our E450s.

Perhaps the safest way to handle your front ball joint greasing is to have a very skilled mechanic do the work or do it yourself.  If, however, you do install the ball joint zerk fittings and then have your E450 greased wherever, be prepared for that grease gun being applied until grease shows at the ball joint seal each time you have your E450 greased.

Front ball joint grease probbably needs to be applied only every 15,000 miles or so and some would call that overkill.

Don McG (whose ball joint zerk fittings are installed and removed after greasing the ball joints.)
 
Re: Lubing a 2004 E-450 Chassis
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 57212
Hey Barry, I'm with you. The one thing I am not is a male Ms Mona Lisa Vito! Changing my own oil or lubing my own chassis is abysmally low on my scale of fun things to do.

What I want to know is what do I have to ask the dealer to do to maintain my warranty and to remain reasonably sure that the front end of my rig is not going to fall off coming down a mountain.
 I think the mext time I get an oil change I'll show the service writer the diagram I received from Ford and tell him to shoot the juice to it, Bruce!

Paul NE 50