repairing a stripped out grease zerk

Dale Swineheart · Dec 31, 2010

on my 1959 Ford 881 tractor I have a bad grease zerk on the Wagner loader. The zerk is stripped out and will not take grease. What is the best way or tool to use to repair this? do I need to retap and go to a larger size zerk? Any special tool. the zerk depth is not very great so I cannot use a standard tap and die set thanks Dale

BCnT · Dec 31, 2010

i used to be able to get self tapping zerks but its been years since i bought any...check with a REAL parts house if theres any left in your area.
as far as the tap,you can use whats called a bottom tap...they come in a set of 3...can be a RPIA to get started since they have no taper.

oldironman · Dec 31, 2010

It's a pipe thread on most fittings. Do not tap with a standerd thead.

Hobo 39 · Dec 31, 2010

If place where zerk is accessible weld a nut to it then install the new zerk. Have done several that way.

glennster · Dec 31, 2010

if all else fails, they make "drive in" zerks that do not require threads, you just tap them in with a hammer.

The Dukester · Dec 31, 2010

The small threaded ones are 1/4-28 threads(sae fine), the large ones 1/8 female pipe thread-tapered. Taps are made to chase both these thread types.

Eldo case · Dec 31, 2010

May have to pull the pin to tap!

Rusty wheel · Dec 31, 2010

If there's room, drill and tap it out to the nest size pipe tap and install a pipe bushing and a new zerk.

Duner Wi · Dec 31, 2010

If it were mine and nothing to loose I might try a metric 7MMX1 zerk. About 25TPI instead of 28TPIand about .030 larger overall size.
http://saeproducts.com/metric-grease-fittings.html

RodinNS · Dec 31, 2010

Get a bottoming tap of the appropriate size and use that... It will tap a blind hole right to the bottom.

Rod

Old Roy · Dec 31, 2010

My IH Cubcadet came stock with that kind never was tapped for the screw type.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 31, 2010

I suggest going up one size and use bottom tap as mentioned. In emergencies I've made a bottom tap by grinding off most of the tip of a standard tap. You need to leave just a bit of the lead in thread so it will start. If possible it is best to start tapping the thread with the standard tap before you modify/grind off the tip.

Paul from MI · Dec 31, 2010

Depending on where it is, you might weld or braze 1/8" pipe coupling or elbow over the stripped out hole. Then put a new zerk in the coupling.

Jon Hagen · Dec 31, 2010

The 1/4 inch zerk uses a std 1/4 fine bolt thread, weld a 1/4 FT nut over the stripped hole and screw in a 1/4 zerk. The threaded shank of a 1/4 zerk is tapered so it gets tight in a 1/4 FT nut, just like pipe thread.

buickanddeere · Jan 1, 2011

Use a taper tap and go 2-3 turns deeper. A bottom tap will cut a larger straight thread that a taper thread grease zerk won't tighten into.
Sometimes a short nipple and coupling will be required.

repairing a stripped out grease zerk

Dale Swineheart

New User

BCnT

Well-known Member

oldironman

Member

Hobo 39

Member

glennster

Well-known Member

The Dukester

Well-known Member

Eldo case

Member

Rusty wheel

Well-known Member

Duner Wi

Well-known Member

RodinNS

Well-known Member

Old Roy

Well-known Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Paul from MI

Well-known Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

buickanddeere

Well-known Member

Similar threads