Road armor wet bolts

[Vaughlw]

I have a 2021 3761 FL legacy. 3 of my wet bolts on the road armor suspension won't take grease. I've tried lifting the tires off the ground, on the ground, everything I knew to try. Any one else have this problem?

[Jeff n Susan]

Yep, Sounds like a typical wet bolt problem. Most of the time, the solution is to remove, clean and reinstall the wet bolts. It seems the grease ports in the center want to fill up with older grease and sometimes the brass from the bushing themselves.
There are lots of help articles already posted that may be far greater assistance for you

[rohrmann]

I've had several over the years plug up. It's easier to have a couple extra bolts on hand so when you remove a problem bolt you can install the new one right away, then clean to plugged one at your leisure so it's ready to use the next time. I also keep extra bronze bushings so I can replace them at the same time if they are worn through. Might even have some extra zerk fittings as well.

[Tree Top Turkeys]

I have the same rig and I’ve got two on the far rear that won’t take grease. Replacing seems like a lot of work, do you need specialized tools like a press? Do you replace these with wheels off the ground?

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Tree Top Turkeys

I have the same rig and I’ve got two on the far rear that won’t take grease. Replacing seems like a lot of work, do you need specialized tools like a press? Do you replace these with wheels off the ground?

With weight off the axles,
Try backing the nut off until it's flush with the bolt.
Then smack the nut end with a hammer as you pump grease. Hopefully the shock from the hammer along with the pressure of the grease gun it will unstick the problem.
Don't forget to torque the nut back down when you are done.
If you have to replace the bolt, as you pull it out push another bolt through the keep all the eyes aligned. Then push the new bolt in with the grease hole at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock. As you push it through it will push out the temporary bolt keeping the eyes aligned.
Again don't forget to torque the nuts.
I broke a spring over the summer. I had the rig lifted with the hydraulic leveling jacks and the truck jack under the axle to align the leaf spring eye and hanger up and down. I had to use two 1" ratchet straps to align the eye hole left and right.
Yesterday I bought a 2" heavy duty ratchet strap for future use in that situation.

[Todd & Mary]

35 years in industrial Maintenance, we used these all the time on bushing type grease systems. The oil tends to separate from the base of the grease and plugs the grease passage. Fill the ram with the grease you use and put it on the fitting and slap it with a hammer, it will clear the blockage, then just purge more grease in with a grease gun to clear any contaminants from the bushing and your good to go. NOT to be used on bearings, it will blow the seals out of them.

https://locknlube.com
THE ORIGINAL GREASE BUSTER® - CLEAR OUT CLOGGED GREASE FITTINGS.
SKU: GB17 $54.99

or
McmasterCarr.com
Grease Fitting Cleaning Tools

Fill these tools with light oil, then tap with a hammer to open clogged fittings. The tapping action forces oil through the fitting and removes contamination from bearings, joints, and other parts. Use the included extension hose for hard-to-reach fittings.

Material Lg. Hose
Lg. Includes Each
Steel 8 1/4" 5" Rubber Extension Hose, Extra Dispensing Tip, Plastic Case 5059K1 $70.27

[rohrmann]

Those grease buster tools work great on clogged zerk fittings, but with a small grease passage almost 2 inches long, and grease hardened up in that passage, you are not likely to move all that hardened grease. Even once you have removed the bolt, it takes a bit of work to clean the grease out of that long hole in the bolt.

[RMcNeal]

Agree with Bob. I bought both tools to try and clear out a couple of wet bolts on mine. Ended up removing and picking them out with a tiny drill bit. Took a lot of patience, but it did work.

[Tree Top Turkeys]

Where can I find a part number and purchase place for a 2021 3761FL ? Looks like I may need to replace a couple.

[glendodom]

Originally Posted by Tree Top Turkeys

Where can I find a part number and purchase place for a 2021 3761FL ? Looks like I may need to replace a couple.

https://www.etrailer.com/search/Wet+Shackle+Bolt

[carl n wanda]

How often should they be greased? Two of my bolts on my new 3781RL would not pump grease through but one managed to clear when I lifted weight off the wheels.

[RMcNeal]

According to the manual, every 6,000 miles or at least annually. I usually do mine twice per year, but I tend to travel 15,000 or more miles per year too.
Correction! I just found a Dexter Maintenance schedule that says 3 months or 3,000 miles.
I guess I need to do this more often!

[Daryles]

The Dexter Axle Manual is in the files section

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hp?do=cat&id=3

Also the Lippert Road Armor suspension manual is in the Lippert NOW app
Download the Lippert NOW app from Google play store. Lots of good info, manuals, TSB, troubleshooting etc.
Lippert also has excellent help desk support.
Phone: 574-537-8900
Email: customerservice@Lci1.com

[BobM]

I have one wet bolt on my road armor suspension that won’t take grease. I loosened the nut to the end of the threads and hit with a hammer but can not get it out. I think this is strange as my Montana 3813MS is just over a year old (2022).
Do you think heating with a torch is safe?
I assume I can get replacements at Camping World.
Appreciate any thoughts.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by BobM

I have one wet bolt on my road armor suspension that won’t take grease. I loosened the nut to the end of the threads and hit with a hammer but can not get it out. I think this is strange as my Montana 3813MS is just over a year old (2022).
Do you think heating with a torch is safe?
I assume I can get replacements at Camping World.
Appreciate any thoughts.

I just went through this. My rig is a 2022 and I've greased in the past. Recently I tried to grease and 6 wouldn't take. Both equalizers and 4 wet bolts. You can't use heat on the use heat on the equalizer because of the rubber insulators so I opted to have the dealer replace all 6. The service manager cut me a deal and did it for $300. They found the grease had dried in the pin holes. Not sure why that would occur so early.



If it's just a wet bolt then you can use heat. There is an extraction tool as well. It's a U joint press. You might also try a grease hammer. You can get them on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-7248-U-Jo...07087266&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CYMY7ZA...T1zcF9kZXRhaWw



I assume you jacked up and supported the frame and axle. That bolt won't move if it has weight on it and if it does it could be dangerous.

[432bartman]

Before trying to grease, did you unload the suspension by lifting the wheels off the ground. That helped me with a stubborn wet bolt that at first didn't want to take any grease. Good luck.

[rohrmann]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I just went through this. My rig is a 2022 and I've greased in the past. Recently I tried to grease and 6 wouldn't take. Both equalizers and 4 wet bolts. You can't use heat on the use heat on the equalizer because of the rubber insulators so I opted to have the dealer replace all 6. The service manager cut me a deal and did it for $300. They found the grease had dried in the pin holes. Not sure why that would occur so early.



If it's just a wet bolt then you can use heat. There is an extraction tool as well. It's a U joint press. You might also try a grease hammer. You can get them on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/OTC-7248-U-Jo...07087266&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CYMY7ZA...T1zcF9kZXRhaWw



I assume you jacked up and supported the frame and axle. That bolt won't move if it has weight on it and if it does it could be dangerous.

Before you purchase replacement wet bolts, make sure you order the correct ones. I'm thinking your wet bolts are possibly these, 1/2" with a shoulder for the 7/16" nut. https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lea...07-187-00.html

[BobM]

I did take the load off both axles with wheels removed.
I will try a press possibly. Probably have to wait now till return from the rally. Thanks for the replies.

[rohrmann]

Do not use any heat on any of the suspension parts. The shank of the bolts are splined, so when installed in the hangers, the splines cut into the hanger, so they will be tough to drive out.

[AZ Traveler]

This gun will push grease into some of those stubborn fittings.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCGG57..._hp_atf_m&th=1