cgraham
Silver Member
My Kioti LB1014 has brass zerks: several have slightly deformed nipples that prevent the grease gun from sealing and delivering grease so they must be replaced.
Unfortunately they were driven in so tightly at the factory that I can稚 get them out. A socket wrench just rounds off the soft brass hex collar, partly because they are actually a little under 11 mm, so the socket is not a good fit. I found one that was exactly 11mm, and I had to hammer an open貌nd wrench 360 deg. before I could hand-turn it that痴 how tight they are!
Once rounded off, no standard tool will grip them. I have read lots on how to remove zerks (material unstated), but nothing specifically relating to brass. which, being soft, may require special precautions from making the job more difficult than is should be.
(Why brass - they appear to be 1/8 x 28 BSPT threads? I am thinking of replacing them with steel zerks - would this be a wise choice?)
My main question is what special precautions I should apply to removing brass zerks. I am not asking for a re-hash of the numerous methods already described. There are tools that grip the outside of the collar, and tools that grip the inside if the tip is broken off. I understand those options, as well as the various assists: (unfortunately I don稚 have access to an adequate torch to heat the area around the zerks).
Thank you for your advice.
Unfortunately they were driven in so tightly at the factory that I can稚 get them out. A socket wrench just rounds off the soft brass hex collar, partly because they are actually a little under 11 mm, so the socket is not a good fit. I found one that was exactly 11mm, and I had to hammer an open貌nd wrench 360 deg. before I could hand-turn it that痴 how tight they are!
Once rounded off, no standard tool will grip them. I have read lots on how to remove zerks (material unstated), but nothing specifically relating to brass. which, being soft, may require special precautions from making the job more difficult than is should be.
(Why brass - they appear to be 1/8 x 28 BSPT threads? I am thinking of replacing them with steel zerks - would this be a wise choice?)
My main question is what special precautions I should apply to removing brass zerks. I am not asking for a re-hash of the numerous methods already described. There are tools that grip the outside of the collar, and tools that grip the inside if the tip is broken off. I understand those options, as well as the various assists: (unfortunately I don稚 have access to an adequate torch to heat the area around the zerks).
Thank you for your advice.