What Would Cause Noise And Excessive Tightness On A Sidewinder 5th Wheel King Pin With Turret
Question:
My sidewinder seems excessively tight , makes noise when turning , feels like it I Needs lubrication. Feels like its catching. Shouldnt it be a smooth operation?
asked by: Mike
Expert Reply:
The Sidewinder can be very tight when they are first installed, but will move more freely after use. As the installation instructions show, there are several places where it is advised to lubricate as a regular maintenance. If your Sidewinder, part # RP61412, has the lock out bolts in place, you will want to remove them. I spoke with my contact at the manufacturer and he said that it will be very stiff and you will need to loosen the bolts holding the cap in place and use spray white lithium grease. You will have to re-torque all bolts that you remove to make certain the Sidewinder is operating correctly.
If resistance is present, apply lithium grease to the bearing surfaces. To make the hookup easier, frequently lubricate the wedge surfaces, the skid plate surface, and the back side of the king pin. I have attached a drawing showing the places that need to be lubricated.
Please refer to the Installation instructions for directions on where lubricants should be applied.
