Greasable bolt source? Trying to improve my tire carrier

hillstrubl

hillstrubl

Founding Member
I've had the britpart knockoff of the mantec tire carrier for a few years now and something that always bothered me was a lack of grease fittings on the main load bearing hinges. I have some universal zerks that I could drill/tap and add, but then I thought, why not just replace the bolts with pre-drilled greasable ones.
The dimensions of the existing bolts (measuring in the dark with a standard tape measure...) are M18 head (but the nut on the bottom is a 19mm) x ~95mm (Measured as just shy of 1/2" diameter bolt shaft x 3.75" bolt length. This equates to me as M18 x 95mm. I guess it could be longer but I'm not sure I want another 25MM of threads sticking out from what's there now if I use something like this.

Anybody know a source of greasable bolts for an application like this? Already checked McMaster, Grainger and the River site.

1708481731041.png
 
WreckITFrank

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
why not a flanged bronze bearing and a standard shoulder bolt? what is inside the tire mount tube?

edit..assuming you would or wanted to do some light machining to get it to work.
 
hillstrubl

hillstrubl

Founding Member
WreckITFrank said:
why not a flanged bronze bearing and a standard shoulder bolt? what is inside the tire mount tube?

edit..assuming you would or wanted to do some light machining to get it to work.
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Its just a bracket with a hole on the bottom and top, you can see the lower one in this screenshot from an install video

1708483959623.png

I guess I could use a flanged bearing, but I'd really like a way to get grease into that cavity regularly. Honestly that Toyota suspension bolt would work, its just a bit too long.

edit: better pic of an exploded view

1708484095661.png
 
L

lordhelemt

Well-known member
It would be much cheaper to drill/tap your current bolts. That said, search greasable shackle bolts. You may be able to find the correct diameter/length to use in your carrier.
 
hillstrubl

hillstrubl

Founding Member
lordhelemt said:
It would be much cheaper to drill/tap your current bolts. That said, search greasable shackle bolts. You may be able to find the correct diameter/length to use in your carrier.
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The too long ones are $14/each though, I might just order them rendering this thread moot :)
 
erover82

erover82

Well-known member
Appears it hinges on two large polymer flange bushing, so there’s no metal on metal contact, correct? If so, you’d want a silicone based lubricant. Could just spray the inside cavity with CorrosionX, Krown, etc which are both silicone based and will prevent any corrosion for a very long time. Could swap to bronze or composite bushings too, but is it necessary? Are the polymer bushings failing?
 
hillstrubl

hillstrubl

Founding Member
erover82 said:
Appears it hinges on two large polymer flange bushing, so there’s no metal on metal contact, correct? If so, you’d want a silicone based lubricant. Could just spray the inside cavity with CorrosionX, Krown, etc which are both silicone based and will prevent any corrosion for a very long time. Could swap to bronze or composite bushings too, but is it necessary? Are the polymer bushings failing?
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Correct on the design. I don't think they're failing, they seem to be the same thickness from install, its the squeaking that's driving me absolutely crazy... I can lube the shaft part that attaches near the door with silicone spray, but the hinges are the source of most of the sound.
 
erover82

erover82

Well-known member
Lithium base lubricant works too. I’d think if you pulled the bolt and lubed the inside well that it’d last several years.
 
hillstrubl

hillstrubl

Founding Member
erover82 said:
If you want a zero maintenance solution, igus has several options for dirt resistant flange bearings: https://www.igus.com/iglide/sleeve-bearing-with-flange

Makes me wonder what kind of cheap polymer bushing Britpart included, or if it’s something else squeaking back there. Polymer bushings, decent ones anyway, don’t usually squeak.
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the shaft that is located closer to the door plate doesnt help, but that's easily fixed once a month with a bit of silicone spray.
 
Frenglish

Frenglish

Well-known member
Pulling the bolt, filling it white lithium grease and putting it back together is a great fix, But while you're in there you could drill and tap in your Zert for future greasing purposes as well.

Its a land rover, no need to over complicate the parts.
 
lithium1330

lithium1330

Technical Excellence Contributor
Callsign: KM6FDG
I have the mantec carrier and it also squeals like a stuck pig. I plan to pull the bolts out and grease them and tap for zerk fitting.
If spare carrier squeaking all that’s going wrong with your defender, then you’re winning at life.
 
B

brdhmltn

Well-known member
The zerk has been replaced with stainless since.
 

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erover82

erover82

Well-known member
brdhmltn said:
The zerk has been replaced with stainless since.
Click to expand...

Is yours an original Mantec? Your flange bearings are different. Have you had any issue with them breaking down? Many EP greases are incompatible with plastics due to moly or petroleum content.
 
El Pinchi

El Pinchi

Well-known member
lithium1330 said:
I have the mantec carrier and it also squeals like a stuck pig. I plan to pull the bolts out and grease them and tap for zerk fitting.
If spare carrier squeaking all that’s going wrong with your defender, then you’re winning at life.
Click to expand...
Cris, post up what you do bc I may have to do that in the near future.
 
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