Where's The Zerk?

[Edward Buker]

Jeremy, Keith, or Steve,

I cannot remember who posted the steering box zerk fitting item that needs to be greased once in awhile. I remember it was a BCS (maybe Steve insight) as to the location of this fitting. I remember that there is some plastic plug but I took a look today and could not see one.

Can whoever posted that fitting info also post a photo of the fitting to help us Zerk impaired owners?

Later Ed

[Steve Huber]

Ed,
Wasn't me but I'll be interested in the response-photo as I've got to get under mine to tighten up the steering box & reduce the free play.
Steve

[David T. Richelderfer]

From Keith Moffett...   I searched on "steering box zerk" with all words, not exact phrase.

Just a side bar Ed.
 You have the same chassis we do I believe.  Steve at BCS showed me a detail the had been missed since the original lube at mfg.  There is a zerk fitting on the driver side of the steering box which is just inside the front driver tire.  If this goes dry it will affect your steering and wear the gears over time.  He put four shots of lube in ours and it made all the difference.
 The zerk is small and hard to spot being black on black but worth looking for.
 Change the power steer fluid and lube the zerk and waaa laaa! new coach!
 Keith

[Edward Buker]

It was Keith, thanks for finding the post. I know in 2004 he had a Monaco chassis and I have one of the SMC chassis. My steering box is well forward of the axle and tire so I am sure we are not apples to apples but we might have the same steering box....we will see what Keith comes up with.

Later Ed

[Gerald Farris]

Ed,
Keith Moffett owns an SMC designed 2002 Marquis like yours. The only difference is that his is a 42 foot with a tag axle.

Gerald

[Edward Buker]

Thanks Gerald, I was looking at the bottom of David's post where he quoted Keith.....my error. Have you found or greased a zerk on your steering box?

Later Ed

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

The zerk is on the steering box about in the middle on the tire side.  It is covered with a black plastic slip on zerk cover and so it is hard to find.  I think Steve told me that not all models have them but most Marquis etc. do.  If yours is like mine was the dirt covered it even more because it had never been removed.  Sure could feel the difference in the steering right away.  

Best to all
Keith

[Edward Buker]

Thanks Keith, I will take a look next time that I am under there. Must be near the slack adjusting screw and locknut maybe....


Later Ed

[Steve Huber]

Found the plastic cover on mine after tightening steering adjust nut. But, there was no zerk under it. Checked with Tom at Masseys and he said some had zerks but many didn't. On those, the plug functions as an air pressure release port.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

Thanks Steve,

I'm guessing mine does not have the Zerk.

Later Ed

[Joel Ashley]

I know we are talking Marquis here, but just to hopefully add a bit to the thread, my Monterey lube instructions mention at least 3 fittings inside under the steering post shroud.  One may feed the box below, though it says ours should have a zerk on the steering box;  but I haven't personally tackled the job so am just speculating these may mostly be U-joint zerks.  The steering post zerks may get overlooked by most owners, and perhaps service techs I've trusted regular chassis service to.

Joel

[Adam Hicklin]

So what type of grease would one use on these chassis lube points?

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Molybdenum disulfide (Moly) lube grease.
This is wht our 'Magnum" manual suggests for chassis lube but not brake calipers.  I buy it from Cat for about $7.00 a tube.

Keith

[Steve Jewell]

Here is a picture of the mystery zerk.

Steve J

[Edward Buker]

Steve,

Thank you for documenting that Zerk. I'm on the road now but will check when we are in VT in a couple of weeks.

Later Ed