Plugged grease passageway

[Brad_Blazer]

Clean out the bore. Pack the far end with paraffin wax using a pin punch. Pump grease through the near end. Heat to remove the wax.

 

[Sodo]

I was trying to think of a way to do exactly THAT, like a plug on a string, etc. Never got the idea of a melt-able plug. Brad, that's BRILLIANT! I would have done that! Except I had success today using pre-internet methods.

I took the zerk out and it's a 3/8" grease passageway, bigger than I expected. Plenty of room for wire, so I poked around until I found the hole. Couldn't poke out to the bush with just a 3/8 hook, but did all I could. But it told me where the hole is, so I started this plan to load up the boom to plug the other side.

Loading up the open side by positioning the boom will certainly help. Ran heavy equipment for a long time but a good trick evades me right now.

I used a come-a-long to load up the joint to cover the other hole (hopefully plugging it) while lifting the bush off the plugged hole. Here's the pic.

Pumped again and it was really hard pumping, only a little coming out the other side. Whereas before it gushed out the other side. So I knew this was going to work ,,,,,, :cool2: and POW! VICTORY! :cool2:

Rusty grease pumping out of the dry pivot!

Thanks for all the ideas. Glad I didn't have to take that pin out.

 

[bindian]

Thanks for all the ideas. QUOTE]

Your welcome. We're all glad you didn't have to remove the pin.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Good work!

Congrats by the way on owning a mini excavator. That's one of the coolest machines on the planet.

 

[Dave M7040]

There is a cheap tool made to deal with the problem you were having.
Here is a link:
Grease Fitting Cleaning Tool | Princess Auto
You fill with a light oil, attach to the zerk and hit with a big hammer.
Dave M7040

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I don't think that would have worked since his passage was open on the far end but that's a great price on that tool. The common version is usually about $50.

Prompted me to look on Amazon for a cheap one since I don't think Princess has invaded the US yet.

CTA Tools 2905 Pocket Size Grease Fitting and Joint Unclogger - Hand Tool Sets - Amazon.com

Common style: IPA Grease Fitting Cleaner | Hoses, Valves Fittings| Northern Tool + Equipment

And FOUND with Google: GREASE FITTING CLEANING TOOL

I might have to ask my buddy (another Dave in Canada) to get me one since https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=usd=cad

 

[Eric C]

Amazing what you can learn on here. Great job.

 

[dieselbeef]

the zerk tools wouldnt work on my deere. i think theyre ok if the fittings aint tooooo bad fittngs are probly crap now but grease go thru em.

 

[bindian]

Common style: IPA Grease Fitting Cleaner | Hoses, Valves Fittings| Northern Tool + Equipment

This is the tool I was talking about in post #2. I just didn't have the time to google it up. Thanks.
hugs, Brandi

 

[Sodo]

Brandi I knew what tool you were referring to but that tool wouldn't work because the passageway has two outlets. It would have been useful in the 2nd phase (after plugging the far side outlet) but luckily the grease gun was able to produce the pressure to clear the blockage.

Now that I know the 'direction' of the grease passageways, if I dont notice grease out of both sides I can put the bucket on the ground and load up the boom as you mentioned.