How to Grease Tag Axles
Coach buses, large semitrucks and RVs have tag axles that help distribute the heavy weight of the vehicle. This enables the vehicle to perform and maneuver better, without the engine and wheels struggling to operate with the heavy weight on the usual front wheel axles. You must apply grease to the bearings and hubs of the tag axle for proper maintenance.
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Things You'll Need
- Vehicle chocks
- Jacks
- Jack stands
- Screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Long punch
- Paper towels or rags
- Bearing-cleaning solvents or mineral oil
- Compressed air can
- High temperature grease
- Replacement grease seals
- Seal driver
- Spatula
Instructions
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1
Drive the vehicle to a flat surface. Park the vehicle, and place chocks against the wheels on the front end, if the tag axle you are surfacing is at the rear. Move the chocks to the back wheels, if you are servicing the tag axle in the front.
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2
Slide the vehicle jack underneath, based on which end you plan to jack up. You can use the normal vehicle axles to raise either the front or rear end. Set up jack stands against the axles to hold the end up securely, so you can work at greasing the tag axle.
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3
Wedge a screwdriver against the dust cap and wiggle it off. Pull out the cotter pin with the needle-nose pliers that keeps the nut in place. Spin the wheel to loosen the nut. Unscrew the nut using your fingers.
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4
Shift the wheel on the axle to remove the outer wheel bearing from the wheel. Pull the wheel bearing off, along with the wheel. Take the hub assembly off the spindle, and place it on the ground. Use a long punch to tap on the inner bearing, until the grease seal pops out.
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Remove the inner bearing. Wipe all the old grease, debris and crud from the hub inside both the outer and inner bearings -- using rags or paper towels. Wash the bearings with solvents or mineral oil. Dry by blowing air from a compressed air can onto the bearings and hub assembly.
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6
Place your hand into the high temperature grease until you have a good sized glob in your palm. Lay a bearing in your hand and pack in the grease until the inside is thoroughly coated. Then grease the other bearings.
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7
Place the new seal back into the inner bearing, and secure it into place with a seal driver. Fit the inner bearing back onto the hub assembly. Apply grease to the hub cap by smoothing it on with a spatula until you have about 4 ounces covering the cap.
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Reinstall the hub assembly onto the axle. Replace the wheel and outer wheel bearing back onto the axle. Tighten the nut and push the cotter pin in place. Pop the dust cap back on. Carefully remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle back to the ground.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow the regular maintenance schedule for your type of vehicle to clean and grease the bearings. The schedule is normally based on the number of miles the vehicle has traveled.
Never use solvents when cleaning and greasing the hub screw threads. Use a hand scraper and paper towels to remove as much grease as you can.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
