Looking to see what everyone uses as a grease/lubricant for their trailer jack shaft and Zerk fitting for gears?

 

I have used bearing grease on the shaft and other times even WD40 which I understand the WD40 attracts dirt, contaminants.  So I dont use WD40 anymore.

 

For past jack shafts (exterior) I have owned, I also have used Boeshield T9 for the shaft or a spray silicone.  

 

The jack also has a Zerk fitting for gears, which some say use a type of chain lube or a lithium based machine grease.  Or marine grease like a Quicksilver 2-4-C with PTFE.

 

What do you all use for the shaft and gears?

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

I'd say most any water resistant grease will work.  The jack is susceptible to immersion at some ramps.  When it's raining, it's going to get doused with spray from the road.  And, in northern climes it can get a good dose of road salt.

 

When your rig is disconnected from your tow vehicle, put a mark using a Sharpie, or a wrap a piece of masking tape around the shaft.  Then, hook the rig up to your tow vehicle and when the jack is stowed in the horizontal position, fully extend it.  Clean and grease the shaft above the mark.  No need to grease what only retracts into the outer tube when you stow it for traveling.

 

Some grease may "travel" to the exposed section when you stow it, but that can be easily wiped off with a rag when you see it.

 

 

I use marine grease for hubs, motor, and jack.  It is one of the few things that I can buy at Wally World.

Marine grease for me also.

I'd just use marine grease in it. 

Thanks everyone.

FWIW- Some of the jacks do not have Zerk fittings and the plastic cap on top must be removed the apply grease to the gears. And I have never greased the shafts on my 98 model. Does the manufacturer recommend grease on the shafts?

Don't know what the manufacturer recommends, but for me, when one tube slides/telescopes over another, and sometimes gets submerged, some form of lube is in order.

There is a spiral gear on the shaft the the gear is attached to. That spiral gear is what extends the lower part with the wheel on it. That should have some lubricant on it, its the part that fails due to lack of maintenance.

That means you have to take more effort than just putting grease on the top gears.

Though designed to show how to replace the miter gears and cranking mechanism, this video will show you how to grease your trailer jack.  Click on the address to view the video. 

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qJ4IG1XonM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Though designed to show how to replace the miter gears and cranking mechanism, this video will show you how to grease your trailer jack.  Click on the address to view the video. 

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qJ4IG1XonM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

 

There is a spiral gear on the shaft the the gear is attached to. That spiral gear is what extends the lower part with the wheel on it. That should have some lubricant on it, its the part that fails due to lack of maintenance.

That means you have to take more effort than just putting grease on the top gears.

Thanks, Wayne and Tom. I have been neglecting several trailer jacks for a long time. Tom, that video was good, thanks..........Al

Thanks Wayne and Fishing Rhino.

 

Keeper of a video.