Information Bulletin
Replacing Studs with Bolts to Attach the
Grabber Carriage Motors to the Grabber
Carriage on the Zero Radius

Date: April 08, 2025
Bulletin Name: ZR-TSIB-012-C
Model: Zero Radius Model 48
Model Years: 2009 - 2017

Purpose:

This bulletin instructs to how remove the Zero Radius™ (ZR) grabber carriage motor bolts/studs and replace with
new bolts if the motor bolts are loosening.
Revision C replaces studs with bolts.

Notice:

• This bulletin should be read and understood in its
entirety before performing this update procedure.
• All procedures outlined in the bulletin must be
performed by skilled service personnel. Refer to the
product service manual for descriptions of maintenance
procedures.

SAFETY NOTICE

Perform your company’s Lockout/Tagout
procedure. If your company does not have a
Lockout/Tagout procedure, follow OSHA
1910.147 and 1910.146 Confined Space as
appropriate.

SAFETY NOTICE

Use appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) as required by your
company.

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Revised 04/2025 to revision C

Equipment Required:
Customer to supply:
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Brake cleaner
Electric drill and assorted drill bits
3/8”-16 tapered tap
3/8”-16 bottoming tap
3/8” tube brush
Bristle brush
Air compressor
Rotary sander
Rubber mallet
Overhead crane or lifting device and chains
Hydraulic fitting caps/plugs

Loctite® 263 (or equivalent)
Loctite® 515 (or equivalent)
Loctite® 680 (or equivalent)
9/16” ratchet side wrench
9/16” wrenches and socket wrench
Torque wrench
Gloves (such as industrial nitrile gloves)
Rolling head pry bar
EP No. 2 lithium grease
Wire brush

Parts Required:

Purchase from your McNeilus refuse service network by calling 888-686-7278 or visiting
www.streetsmartparts.com.
Item

Part Number

Description

1

1136593

SCR,CAP,HEX .38-16X1.25 G8 ZY

8

2

0621024

WASHER, SPR, SPT .38 X .68 X .09 ZC

16

3

1427860

SCR, CAP, SOC .38-16 X 1.50 574 ZC

16

4

0120277

WASHER, FLT, .38 X .81 X .06 ZY HDN

8

2

Qty.

Procedure 1: Remove the Grabber Assembly from the Mast
1. Perform your company’s Lockout/Tagout procedure. If your company does not have a Lockout/Tagout
procedure, follow OSHA 1910.147 and 1910.146 Confined Space as appropriate.
2. Remove the grabber faceplate. Retain it and its hardware for reinstallation (Figure 1).
Grabber Faceplate

Figure 1

3. Attach chains and a crane to the grabber carriage assembly to support the assembly when it is removed from
the mast.
4. Remove and retain grease zerks from the rollers.
5. Remove and retain all four grabber roller sets that hold the grabber carriage assembly to the mast — Figure
2 shows one of the top sets and Figure 3 shows the bottom sets. A set consists of a roller, bracket, and bolts
(and proximity switch flag bracket if installed).
6. Inspect the rollers for wear and replace if necessary by calling 888-686-7278. If a roller needs to be replaced,
it is recommended to replace all rollers at the same time.

Bracket

Bolts

Figure 2

3

Proximity Flag Bracket

Figure 3

Figure 3 Close-up

7. Remove the hydraulic lines and plug fittings with caps. Retain all hydraulic lines and hardware as well as a
record of the hydraulic line routing.
8. Remove the grabber carriage assembly from the mast and place the assembly on the ground or a work
bench. Keep the chains/crane attached to the assembly for safety.
9. Remove and inspect the double check valve from the Over Center Manifold Valve for contaminates (location
shown on Figure 4).
• If contaminates are found or the double check valve is broken, stop working on this bulletin. The entire
Over Center Manifold Valve block must be replaced before continuing with this bulletin. Contact McNeilus
at 888-686-7278 or visit www.streetsmartparts.com to order a new Over Center Manifold Valve Block. Call a
McNeilus National Service Representative at 888-686-7278 for installation information.
• If contaminates are not found, replace the double check valve and continue with this bulletin.
Over Center Manifold Double
Check Valve Location

Figure 4

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NOTE: The next steps detail work conducted on the backside of the grabber carriage assembly (see
Figure 5).
10. If there are locking tabs that hold the bolts connecting the motors to the grabber carriage assembly, remove
and discard the tabs from both motors.
11. Remove the motors, grabber gear, and all related hardware (Figure 5). Retain these items until further notice
in this bulletin.
12. Inspect the motors, grabber gear, thrust washers (found near motor spline), motorshaft support bearing, and
4-hole bearing retainer plate for damage. If damage is found, stop working on this bulletin and order a new
part by calling 888-686-7278 or visiting www.streetsmartparts.com. Continue with this bulletin once you have
the new part.

Figure 5

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Procedure 2: Cleaning Procedures
2.1 Cleaning the Grabber Carriage Assembly
1. Residual Loctite must be removed from specific bolt holes. On each side of
the grabber carriage assembly, at the location where the motors attach to the
grabber assembly, clean the four (4) bolt holes and the large hole for the motor
shaft.
a. Start by cleaning inside the bolt holes with a tube brush on an electric drill
(see Figure 6 for location of holes). Clean the bolt holes on both sides of the
grabber assembly where the motors are bolted onto the grabber assembly.
The residue from the Loctite is hard and is a contaminate for the installation of
the new hardware if it is left in place. The holes are clean when all of the Loctite
is removed; do not grind the holes.
b. Clean the large hole for the motor shaft (see Figure 6) with a tube brush on
an electric drill. Clean both of the large holes on both sides of the grabber
assembly. The holes are clean when all of the Loctite is removed; do not grind
the holes.
c. Use a rotary sander on the outside and inside of the cleaned area to remove
rust, paint, or other contaminates.

Figure 6

2.2 Cleaning the Motors and Grabber Rollers
1. Set the motors upright with the mounting holes facing upright (Figure 7).
2. Use a clean 3/8”-16 tapered tap and an electric drill to push the tap into each mounting hole and back out to
clean the holes of contaminates.
3. Use a clean 3/8”-16 finishing tap and electric drill to push the tap into each mounting hole and back out to
clean the holes of contaminates.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 on the other motor.

Figure 7

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5. Wear gloves for the next cleaning steps. Spray the brake cleaner in the mounting holes and on top of
the flange of both motors. The brake cleaner removes the rust inhibitor on the motor and any remaining
contaminates so Loctite will adhere to the motor flange.
6. Use a clean 3/8” tube brush and the electric drill to clean each mounting hole. DO NOT put the drill in
reverse — the brush will get stuck in the mounting hole. Instead, pull the brush out of the mounting holes.
7. Turn the motors on their sides to drain the brake cleaner into an appropriate containment pad or berm.
8. Spray more brake cleaner on the top of the motor flange and into the mounting holes.
9. Clean the area with the bristle brush (see Figure 8). DO NOT use a wire brush on the seal in the shaft.

Figure 8

10. Repeat Steps 5-9 of the Motor Cleaning Procedure until all mounting holes are clean and the area is free from
rust inhibitor and oil/contaminates.
11. Use compressed air on the motors to push out any remaining contaminates from the mounting holes and to
dry the flanges of the motors. The flanges should be free from oil residue and should be a dull gray color with
no shine.
12. Use a rotary sander on the flat surface (mating side) of each 4-hole retainer plate to clean it.
13. Spray brake cleaner on the flat side of each 4-hole retainer plate. Then spray them with compressed air to
remove contaminates and to dry the retainer plates.
14. Clean the grabber roller thread holes with a clean 3/8”-16 tapered tap and an electric drill to push the tap into
each mounting hole and back out and with a clean 3/8”-16 finishing tap and electric drill to push the tap into
each mounting hole and back out to clean the holes of contaminates.
15. Clean the roller thread holes with a wire brush.

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Procedure 3: Installation of Motors and Grabber Gear
Because of the application of Loctite®, it is important you get all of the necessary items ready for installation
before beginning the procedure.
You will need:

• Air compressor

• Eight (8) bolts (PN 1136593)

• Loctite® 680

• Eight (8) washers (PN 0120277)

• Loctite® 263

• Sixteen (16) washers (PN 0621024)

• Loctite® 515

• Brake cleaner

• Sixteen (16) bolts (PN 1427860)

3.1 Installing Motor Components
1. Stand the motors upright with the mounting holes facing up.
2. Clean the bolts with the brake cleaner and air compressor.
3. Inspect the existing motorshaft support bearings for quality. If the inside race turns freely, the bearing can
be reused. If not, purchase and replace with a new bearing (PN 1414603). Clean the bearing outer diameter
(Figure 12) with brake cleaner and compressed air to remove contaminates.
4. Apply one (1) drop of Loctite 263 in each bolt mounting hole on the flange side of both motors. For blind
holes, apply several drops of Loctite 263 in the lower third of the internal threads in the blind hole, or to the
bottom of the blind hole.
5. Apply Loctite 515 to the top of the flange on each motor (Figure 9). DO NOT get Loctite in the mounting holes.
DO NOT get Loctite on the shaft seal.

Figure 9
Apply Loctite 515 to the flange of each motor.

6. Apply one (1) drop of Loctite 263 on a bolt (PN 1136593). Do not apply more than one drop. Excessive Loctite
in the holes of the motor will not allow the bolts to install completely.
7. Install a washer (PN 0120277) on the bolt and screw the bolt into the mounting hole of a motor (Figure 10).
8. Use a torque wrench to torque the bolt into the motor at 37 ft.-lbs. This will seat the coarse thread end of the
bolt into the motor.
9. Repeat Steps 6-8 on the remaining three (3) bolts of this motor and again for the other motor and its (4) bolts.

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Figure 10

10. Apply Loctite 515 Gasket Eliminator on the flat side (mating side) of each 4-hole bearing retainer plate
(Figure 11).

Figure 11
Apply Loctite 515 to the 4-hole bearing retainer plate.

11. Apply Loctite 680 on the (flat) outside edge of the motorshaft support bearings (see Figure 12 and Figure
13).
12. Insert the motorshaft support bearing into the large motor shaft hole on the grabber carriage assembly (the
hole you already prepped) (see Figure 6). Use the bearing retainer to assist in locating the bearing position.
Do this on both motor shaft holes — one bearing per large hole.

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Figure 13

Figure 12

Insert the support bearing in the large hole that is already prepped.
NOTE: The visible green gel is Loctite 680.

3.2 Installing the Motors and Grabber Gear on the Grabber
NOTE: The drive motor is always placed on the left side and the brake motor is always placed on the
right side of the grabber carriage assembly when you are facing the back of the grabber assembly.
1. Install the 4-hole bearing retainer plate to the inside of the grabber carriage assembly over the
motorshaft support bearing (Figure 14). The Loctite applied side of the plate must be against the grabber
carriage assembly. The large hole in the bearing retainer plate matches the location with the large hole on the
grabber assembly. Repeat on the other inside side of the grabber carriage assembly.
2.

Drive Motor: Install the drive motor in place on the grabber carriage assembly on the left side (Figure 14).
Install the motor just enough to allow the thrust washer (when it is installed in the next step) to hang on the
shaft.
NOTE: Remember the hydraulic tube ports on the motor must be facing UP. The motor’s flange side with
the Loctite must be placed flush against the outside of the carriage assembly with the motor spline pushed
through the large hole.

3. Install a thrust washer in place around the drive motor spline on the inside side (Figure 14).

Drive Motor

Thrust Washer

4-Hole Bearing
Retainer Plate

4-Hole Bearing Retainer Plate on Brake
Motor Inside Side.
Figure 14

Install the drive motor with the spline going through the large hole. Add the thrust washer.

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4. Install the grabber gear onto the drive motor spline (Figure 15).

4-Hole Retainer Plate
and Thrust Washer

Drive
Motor

Grabber Gear
Figure 15

5. Apply one (1) drop of Loctite 263 to each bolt. Do not apply more than one drop.
Brake Motor: Install the brake motor on the right side of the grabber assembly. Do not push the motor flush
against the grabber assembly until the thrust washer is installed (see Step 7) (Figure 16). It may be necessary
to turn the drive motor enough to correctly position the spline to allow the brake motor to be installed.

6.

NOTE: Remember the hydraulic tube ports on the motor must be facing UP. The motor’s flange side with
the Loctite must be placed flush against the outside of the carriage assembly with the motor spline pushed
through the large hole.
7. Install a thrust washer in place around the brake motor spline (Figure 16).

Thrust Washer

Brake Motor
Figure 16
Install the thrust washer between the spline of the brake motor and the grabber gear.

8. Apply Loctite 263 to each bolt and each threaded hole in the motor housing.
9. Once the motor splines are aligned, use a rubber mallet to push the splines into the grabber gear, then seat
the motor.
10. Use a torque wrench with a 9/16” socket to tighten the bolts to 37 ft.-lbs. Do this in a crisscrossing tightening
pattern (Figure 17).
Tightening Pattern

1

3

4

2
Figure 17

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11. Strike against the ends of both motors using the rubber mallet in order to seat all parts again.
12. Use the torque socket wrench again to tighten the bolts to 37 ft.-lbs.
13. Repeat Steps 11 and 12 until there is no movement from the socket wrench.
14. Center the grabber gear by placing a rolling head (centering) pry bar through the open hole next to the motor/
grabber gear on the grabber assembly contacting the metal part of the grabber gear (Figure 18) —
Not Against the Plastic Grabber Gear! Strike the pry bar with the rubber mallet to center the grabber gear.
Striking and aligning the motors may force the grabber gear into misalignment. Striking the grabber gear will
realign it to the center.

Figure 18

15. Grease the couplers on the gear with EP No. 2 lithium grease (Figure 19).

Figure 19
Grease points.

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16. If you replaced an existing motor with a new motor, remove the shipping plug and washer before installing
hydraulic lines (Figure 20).

Figure 20

17. Use the crane to position the grabber assembly in location on the ZR mast.
18. Reinstall all four roller sets: the bracket (the upper brackets have an angled bump stop; the lower brackets do
not), roller (if it slid out during disassembly from the mast).
19. Apply Loctite 263 to the new bolts (PN 1427860) (quantity 16) and to the four holes in each roller and install
the rollers.
20. Use a torque wrench to torque each bolt to 38 ft.-lbs.
21. Reinstall the grease zerks into each roller.
22. Reinstall the proximity switch flag bracket and hardware if previously installed.
23. Use a torque wrench to torque each bolt to 23 ft.-lbs.
24. Remove the chains and crane.
25. Route and reattach all hydraulic lines on the grabber assembly in the correct routing positions.
26. Remove your company’s Lockout/Tagout procedure. If your company does not have a Lockout/Tagout
procedure, follow OSHA 1910.147 and 1910.146 Confined Space as appropriate.
27. Run the arm and grabber functions, checking for proper function.
• If the arm and grabber do not function correctly, call your McNeilus refuse service network representative at
888-686-7278 for further instruction.
28. Check for leaks at the hydraulic fittings. Tighten fittings as needed.
29. Reinstall the grabber faceplate using the retained hardware.
30. Use a torque wrench to torque bolts to 15 ft.-lbs.
31. Return vehicle to service after ensuring there are no leaks and the arm and grabber function correctly.

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