Lubricate Caster Wheel Hubs
Service Interval:
Yearly
1. Stop the engine, wait for all moving parts to stop,
and remove the key. Engage the parking brake.
Figure 41
1.
Seal guard
2.
Spacer nut with wrench
flats
2. Remove the caster wheel from the caster forks.
3. Remove the seal guards from the wheel hub.
4. Remove one of the spacer nuts from the axle
assembly in the caster wheel. Note that thread
locking adhesive has been applied to lock the spacer
nuts to the axle. Remove the axle (with the other
spacer nut still assembled to it) from the wheel
assembly.
5. Pry out seals, and inspect bearings for wear or
damage and replace if necessary.
6. Pack the bearings with a general-purpose grease.
7. Insert one bearing, one new seal into the wheel.
Note:
The seals must be replaced.
8. If the axle assembly has had both spacer nuts
removed (or broken loose), apply a thread locking
adhesive to one spacer nut and thread onto the axle
with the wrench flats facing outward. Do Not thread
spacer nut all of the way onto the end of the axle.
Leave approximately 1/8 inch (3 mm) from the
outer surface of the spacer nut to the end of the axle
inside the nut.
9. Insert the assembled nut and axle into the wheel on
the side of the wheel with the new seal and bearing.
10. With the open end of the wheel facing up, fill
the area inside the wheel around the axle full of
general-purpose grease.
11. Insert the second bearing and new seal into the
wheel.
12. Apply a thread locking adhesive to the 2nd spacer
nut and thread onto the axle with the wrench flats
facing outward.
13. Torque the nut to 75-80 in-lb (8-9 N-m), loosen,
then re-torque to 20-25 in-lb (2-3 N-m). Make sure
axle does not extend beyond either nut.
14. Reinstall the seal guards over the wheel hub and
insert wheel into caster fork. Reinstall caster bolt
and tighten nut fully.
Important:
To prevent seal and bearing damage,
check the bearing adjustment often. Spin the caster
tire. The tire should not spin freely (more than 1 or
2 revolutions) or have any side play. If the wheel
spins freely, adjust torque on spacer nut until there
is a slight amount of drag. Reapply thread locking
adhesive.
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