angle grease zerks

TomIn

Member
I recently replaced some bearings in an ancient flail mower. I installed a straight grease zerk where I should have installed a 90 degree zerk. Where the zerk is located, there isn't enough clearance to replace the straight zerk with a 90 degree zerk unless I spend several hours disassembling everything to gain access to the bearing flange block.

I have a coffee can full of various zerks. The angle zerks looks like a straight zerk with a smaller straight zerk attached at a 45 or 90 degree angle. I would have enough clearance to install a 90 degree zerk IF I could remove the 90 degree "nipple" during installation.

I tried to unscrew the angle nipples from a couple of my age and brand unknown zerks without any success.

Has anyone ever unscrewed the angle portion of a grease zerk to get enough clearance to install it in a tight place, then reattached the it?
If so, what brand zerk did you use?
 
I have an assortment that came from McMaster Carr several years ago, no name brand on them. Just the other day had to do that. The small fitting screwed right out, I installed the main body and reinstalled the fitting. Only complication was the check ball and spring are not captured and must be reinstalled behind the fitting.
 
You can also go to your local NAPA and pick up a slide on angle greasing fitting. Makes life simple and they don't cost that much.
 
There is also a grease gun coupler that is supposed to slide on the grease fitting sideways. I don't know how well it would work.

Back in the '80s I got a coupler from the tool man that fit the hose 90 degrees from standard. If there was 2" or so above the grease fitting it would couple on there. I wish I could find a new one like that.
 
I have one and it works.....sorta. Gotta put pressure against the zerk and cross your fingers. For the problem in this post, I think it would be worth a try, considering the alternatives. See your auto parts dealer and ask for a nipple that slides over the zerk from the side.
 
They sell those at all the Auto parts places because when you put greasable ball joints in a 4x4 pick'em up truck its the only way you can grease the bottom one. They work OK as long as the fittng doesn't take grease every hard.
 
Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. I called the Alemite technical department. Their 90 degree 1/8" npf zerk (1613-B) has a screwed in nipple. The tech had never heard of anyone unscrewing it, and had no idea whether doing so would work. Now my issue is to find a couple that I can afford without paying a small fortune in shipping.
 
If it was well greased when assembled, just run it. Lots of stuff comes with non greaseable bearings these days. All they ever get is what some third world company let their cents an hour laborers smear it with quick as they slammed it together. Then when that fails, you can change it when you change the bearing. Might be soon though. We are changing FIVE assemblies with bearings like that in them next week! About a days labor for two men for each assembly plus a four hour drive from home. But they were cheap... for someone.
 

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