Fontaine
- Tilt the top plate forward (the front of the fifth wheel is down) and apply grease to each bearing area through the zerk fittings located on each side of the top plate just to the front of the bracket pins. Continue to apply grease until it is coming out of the back of the bearing. It may be necessary to raise the rear of the fifth wheel with a pry bar to open up the pocket slightly and allow the grease to flow through. A substantial amount of grease may be required initially to fill the reservoir.Tilt the fifth wheel ramps down (the rear of the fifth wheel is down) and repeat the greasing procedure. Rock the top plate back and forth several times to spread the grease over the bearing surface.
- Inspect the trailer kingpin plate and top surface of the fifth wheel to make sure each is properly greased. A liberal coating of grease should be applied to the complete surfaces of both the trailer kingpin plate and the top surface of the fifth wheel.
- Lubricate the fifth wheel prior to opening and closing
it. Separate the jaw and wedge with a screwdriver, and grease the
full length of their mating surfaces. Lubricate the top and bottom
contact surfaces of the jaw and wedge. See Fig.. Open and close
the fifth wheel several times to further distribute the grease. Lightly
oil other moving parts in the fifth wheel.
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Pull Handle
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Jaw
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Wedge
Fig. 1, Fontaine Fifth Wheel
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- Apply grease to the top plate. Spread grease all over the mating surface of the top plate. Be sure the grease pockets built into the top plates are full of grease.
Warning: Failure to properly lubricate the fifth wheel could result in a possible disengagement of the trailer from the tractor, which could result in personal injury or property damage.
Note: Do not use a lube plate (high density polyethylene) on top of the fifth wheel or on the kingpin instead of grease. The additional thickness of this material can prevent the fifth wheel and trailer from experiencing a proper coupling event. This may also cause damage to the trailer, kingpin, and/or fifth wheel.
Note: Fontaine suggests the use of a Lithium complex grease such as Mobilgrease XHP 320 or equivalent when applying lubricant to the locking jaw and wedge.