Adding Zerks

David G · Mar 27, 2012

My dad used to drill and tap steering parts for zerks. Has anyone done this and have advice? My dad is gone, so I can't ask him anymore.

dr sportster · Mar 27, 2012

There are different threads to different zerks. Some press in some take 1/8 npt thread [as well as many others]. As long as you use the right tap it will work.

BCnT · Mar 27, 2012

if possible drill upside down so gravity keeps cuttings falling out and use grease on bit and tap to trap cuttings.

Paul from MI · Mar 27, 2012

Big thing is to minimize the possiblity of getting chips into moving parts if you can't take things apart. I would drill a tap size hole only deep enough to tap, not into the bearing, and tap it. I would then drill the smallest hole possible, maybe 1/32" or so into the bearing area, keeping the drill bit greased to catch chips. That way you'll have the least chance of pusing chips into a bearing. You can get zerks in 1/4-28 and 5/16-24 threads to keep the hole small.

RayP(MI) · Mar 27, 2012

Like Paul says... Did that on a 5 bar hay rake a few years back. Worked out OK as far as I can tell. Just be careful to keep it clean. One thing you might want to consider, is if the bearings are "sealed" and whether your fitting will actually put grease in where it would do some good.

El Toro · Mar 27, 2012

I use the 1/4-28 zerks. Hal

ss55 · Mar 27, 2012

Cars used to come with pipe plugs installed in the ball joints. The first time they were lubed the plugs were replaced with zerks.

Jim KS · Mar 27, 2012

I often use a small magnet atached to the drill bit and tap. This holds the chips Jim

Anonymous-0 · Mar 27, 2012

I drilled some dust caps, threaded the hole, screwed a bolt in, then welded a nut on the outside of the cap, to make them stronger. These were for undercarriage bogey wheels, on an ASV RC 30. Saved having to pull each of 48 bearings, and repack each, individually, close to 50 hrs of work. If I were drilling into a grease filled cavity, I would drill till I thought I was about to break through, then punch the rest of the way, with a sharp center punch, that way no drill cuttings get into the part.

Owen Aaland · Mar 27, 2012

For dust caps I braze a 1/4 - 28 nut onto them and then drill a small hole in the center. Just add the zerk and your done.

Texasmark1 · Mar 28, 2012

All good ideas and I have added numerous to equipment that I felt needed them especially where there was a so called "sealed" bearing....not the kid supporting the axle of a disc harrow with 3 distinct rubber rings, but the kind that have that little SS or plastic "dust" seal. I take the seal out of the side that I add the grease and pump her up. Works great.

Mark

Adding Zerks

David G

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dr sportster

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BCnT

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Paul from MI

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RayP(MI)

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El Toro

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ss55

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Jim KS

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Anonymous-0

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Owen Aaland

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Texasmark1

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