grease fittings

tom888fish · Feb 12, 2014

Here's a question - I put a grease gun on the zerk of the steering drag link joint and it was really stiff pushing it on. After greasing, I went to remove it and it would not come off. Pulled, twisted and then did what I usually do if they're a bit stiff, rocking it down. And...of course I managed to snap off the nipple. I haven't used that grease gun for quite a while but wouldn't think the coupler would be a problem. However, I'm wondering, is there a difference between modern and 8N grease fittings? Secondly, any suggestions for how to replace the now snapped off on?

ericlb · Feb 12, 2014

the grease zerks are the same, most of the time when the gun builds up pressure in the hose,and locked the coupler on, either the zerk is plugged or the fitting its on is damaged so the grease cant flow around it, if you have a zerk snapped of the only way to remove it is with the proper size eze out, there threaded, and if you drill it you may damage the threads and then the whole part the zerk is in cant be greases

JCinKY · Feb 12, 2014

While there have been and still are different sizes/styles of zerks, I seriously doubt that that make you gun stick.

Some grease guns have adjustable "jaws" in the nipple to grab the zerk, but release it when needed. My cheap grease gun is the same as yours. No way to adjust it and you have to push/pull/twist the thing and hold your tongue just right to get it to come back off.

I would either look for a different gun(if you have the money) or just be patient with your's. I have found that they are all a little different, but usually the same motion gets them off; I rock and twist at a pretty steep angle.

As for getting the broken zerk out, an extractor ( maybe an ez-out) will pull it right out. I shouldn't be rusted in since its surrounded by grease. If that doesn't work, try a left hand drill a size smaller than the body of the zerk. Last resort it just drill and retap. HTH

ericlb · Feb 12, 2014

tom also, look at your grease gun, weather it has a hose or your useing the straight pipe it came with ,the coupler on the end is 1/8th pipe thread, you can go to a good auto parts store ang get a lincoln brand coupler to put on it, if these get stuck you can back the jaws off with a wrench and a pliers and remove the gun without breaking the zerk

souNdguy · Feb 12, 2014

many couplers have a rotating adjustment scheme so you can tightent he 3-4 jaws ont he fitting. see if yours does and loosen it.

inthe mean time, tap a ez out into the zerk and extract.

them make a combi tool that has a grease fitting wrench, thread chase and extractor flute.. but you don't need that tool to get them out usually.

if just the tip broke. use a wrench. if it sheared at the threads.. use the extractor.

sometimes an appropriate screwdriver ( flat blade) will drive in and bak them out.

so will a left handed drill bit too.

tom888fish · Feb 12, 2014

Thanks all for the suggestions!!

HCooke · Feb 12, 2014

One of the few places that an easy out works!

souNdguy · Feb 12, 2014

any really because the hole is already the correct size for the ez out stem.

many times I think people break ez outs because they use too small a flute because they have not enlarged the hole enough.

jerrybigrig · Feb 12, 2014

Before you put on your nee grease fitting since you said the gun
bound up on you what ever you are greasing may have a
hardened piece of grease restricting new grease to go in....
What I do is use a propane torch and w the zerk out heat up the
area .... Use safety glasses ....keep your face away from the hole
because it WILL build pressure and cone flying out &on fire ...if
it dosnt come out right away be patient keep heating it will blow
out of there

jennifer408 · Feb 12, 2014

(quoted from post at 07:35:54 02/12/14) any really because the hole is already the correct size for the ez out stem.

many times I think people break ez outs because they use too small a flute because they have not enlarged the hole enough.

I've got an easy out to actually work maybe 2 times (1 time for sure) in my life, and im 53 yrs old. i remember it vividly because i went running to DH shocked and amazed that it actually worked, he studied it and congratulated me stating that " he had never reached that level of success with one in his life time. and he is 68 yrs old

jennifer408 · Feb 12, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:18:35 02/12/14) Thanks all for the suggestions!!

when i had that problem i went and grabbed my flat bar (wonder bar, what ever ya want to call it) to persuade it off while i wiggled it around. they can be some stubborn buggers. i can remember a few times, spewing derogatory adjectives at it, while thinking to myself " this is NOT how i wanted to spend my day "

grease fittings

tom888fish

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ericlb

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JCinKY

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ericlb

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souNdguy

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tom888fish

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HCooke

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souNdguy

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jerrybigrig

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jennifer408

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jennifer408

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