Plugged grease joint

[Jay4200]

I've always replaced rather then waste mine time on something so cheap.

These are not the cheapest, and for about $1 more you can get a metric set too.

Amazon.com: Neiko 110 Pieces Hydraulic Grease Fitting Assortment Set - SAE: Home Improvement

Sweet. Just got a set of both SAE and metric.

JayC

 

[fredhargis]

Sweet. Just got a set of both SAE and metric.

JayC

Yep, same here...thanks to jfs2295 for the link. I had picked up just 2 metric Zerks at the local auto parts and paid almost $5 for them. I've passed on the HF ones...had a few Chinese jobs break off on me. The Neiko may be imports, but they'll be good quality. I've only ordered the SAE, still looking for the Neiko metric; if I can't find them I'll probably go with the HF set.

 

[Herkypilot]

I have some Zerks on a Leinbach disc harrow that won't take grease. I just bought it used and it had been sitting out in the weather for a while. I was looking at just replacing the zerks, but I'm not sure how to get them off. The base of the zerks are round and not hex shaped so no place for a wrench or socket to fit. Anyone have some insight on how to remove/replace?

Thanks,
HP

 

[IslandTractor]

If you know the zerks need to come out, how about using vise grips? Or, filing two sides so an adjustable wrench could get a grip?

Have you already tried heat or one of the oil injectors to clear the dried grease?

 

[davygp38]

I have some Zerks on a Leinbach disc harrow that won't take grease. I just bought it used and it had been sitting out in the weather for a while. I was looking at just replacing the zerks, but I'm not sure how to get them off. The base of the zerks are round and not hex shaped so no place for a wrench or socket to fit. Anyone have some insight on how to remove/replace?

Thanks,
HP

I had the same problem on the same Leinbach disc harrow. Don't feel bad, mine was only a few years old. In my case I used visegrips on the ones that were not broken, and an easy out on the ones that were. Those fittings were pot metal, so I replaced them with some worse ones from harbor freight. Thats what I had laying around, and at $4-5 each, those zinc plated ones were to much for a disc.

 

[Herkypilot]

Thanks guys. I ran out of time over the weekend to try the heat method or remove. I thought I'd do some research first and ask what anybody has done with something like this. I'll try heat first and if that doesn't work, I'll try the vise grips to ease them out and replace. I did squirt them with penetrating oil on Sunday, so they've had plenty of time to soak. $4-$5 each? Did you try Tractor Supply? I think they have packages of them for cheaper...

HP

 

[Builder]

This reminds me of some zerks I have that wount take grease and I'm stumped. These fittings are on the leaf spring bushings on my dumptruck. Of course, I've replaced the fittings, only to realize the channels, grooves, whatever are packed with hard grease. I removed the fittings and used a 3&1/2" long #12 screw and actually screwed it into the old crud and kept extracting it to get the oldd crud out, but alas, they still wont take grease. I even squirted penetrant into the holes, still no workie.
Not sure what to do at this point, but the bushings are expensive & time consuming to replace.

 

[beppington]

I had good luck cleaning a stuck zerk fitting by just unscrewing & working a stick pin up inside it. It was prob a little piece of sand, & I either loosened it or removed it altogether with the pin. Not sure which, but it's worked fine ever since.

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like a drve zerk. if it would clear with an impact oil injector or heat. snatch it out and seat a new one. if hole is too large hit the face of the hole with a hammer a couple times to shrink it.

soundguy

 

[Johnp33]

If the Zert is just plugged I use a needle attachment and a lever grease gun. If the pin and groves are plugged, remove the pin and clean it up, if it has the press in ones tap it out and put in screw in ones. Sometimes you can with a levered gun get enough pressure to power the grease threw but make sure it comes out both sides of the pin. Better to do the full job the first time that buy new pins and bushing later.
Just a thought!