Broken grease fitting

[dmoerman]

There are three spindles on my mower deck, each fitted with a grease fitting on the top. One of them has snapped off just at the level of the metal top of the spindle. I believe they are 1/4 inch spindles, that is, pretty tiny. How can I remove the broken spindle so I can replace it with a new one. Any suggestions?

dan

 

[nikdfish]

Spindle or zerk (grease fitting)? Last zerk I had break (a M6), I backed out using the small (eyeglass?) flat blade driver on my leatherman. Just inserted it & turned counter clockwise...

Nick

 

[dmoerman]

That's clever! I'll see if I can come up with something like that. dan

 

[Ford tractor]

They make small easy outs. Just DO NOT BUY Vermont American. I just spent 25+hours and well over $100 to get one out that broke (the ezout). The Vermont American product is junk. The steel is hardened to the point that it is fragile as spun moonbeams.

 

[Soundguy]

there is a grease fitting 4 way tool that has a chase, fluted extractor and 2 wrench ends.. find the one fitting your sizes and use.. this is for threaded zerks.. if yours is a press in, you will need to use a center punch and crush in the sleave in the spindle and dig out with a pair of needle nose or a pic, then drve a new one in.. may be necescarry to stake the new one in useing the center punch.. etc.

soundguy

 

[Bill 55]

I have used the handle of a chainsaw file to remove broken grease fittings for many years. Just tap in in gently and turn them out.

 

[dmoerman]

I'll try one or another of these suggestions today, and report back.

 

[Soundguy]

I have used the handle of a chainsaw file to remove broken grease fittings for many years. Just tap in in gently and turn them out.

if the spindle is still in, he may have a hard time getting that tapered square profile in deep enough to bite. a set of square profile extractors from napa or similar may work, as he can use a large size that won't go past the end of the fitting.. small screwdriver may work too.. hamemr in and turn out.. etc.

soundguy

 

[dmoerman]

Tried several of these suggestions. But the hole in the zerk is actually larger than I had imagined. This morning, I slipped an 1/8" drill bit in the hole. So, I need a larger eze out, or file, or whatever. I'll get the bugger. dan

 

[Soundguy]

get a set of lefty drill bits, again, if it is a thread in type and not a screw in. the lefty will bite nto it and unscre it, and not have to go past the surface of the zerk.

china tool store has a lefty bit set for like 5$ good to have to extract broken threaded fasteners / fittings.

soundguy

 

[rkeith]

I agree with Ford Tractor! Purchase an easy out. You can get them as a set or individually at Lowes, Home Depot, AutoZone, etc. Mine is made by DeWalt.

Here is one at AutoZone...
Great Neck/1/4 in. - 28 easy out fitting tool (25801) | | AutoZone.com

 

[dmoerman]

I picked up a set of 4 eze-outs, Black and Decker brand, at Home Depot, $8.47 or thereabouts. Tapped the size 2 into the zerk, then turned carefully with a small adjustable crescent wrench. It popped out of the hole once, so I tapped it again, turned the wrench, and bingo, out it came, good as gold! I got a new one out of a little packet of assorted fittings, screwed it in with a little 1/4" drive socket, and it's good to go.

So, I learned two things, first, how to get out a broken screw, and second, a terrific new word, "zerk." Here from Wikipedia, are the relevant facts: "The patent for the Zerk fitting was granted to Oscar U. Zerk in January 1929, and the assignee was the Alemite Manufacturing Corporation (thus the eponymous names for the fittings). Today many companies make these grease fittings." (they are also known as Alemite fitting). I just wonder what Mr. Zerk's middle name was!!

 

[johnrex62]

Ulysses

 

[dmoerman]

Serious? If so, too cool.

 

[new jersey mike]

I have a Ransomes bobcat 48" and it also has 3 spindles. I recently bought a new grease gun at TSC for my tractor. The tip was so tight I would have to fight to get it off. I never thought I could break the fitting until I pulled out the "pressed in" fitting on the mower.

So make sure your fitting is broken and did not just pull out. I tapped mine back in place and then use a punch around the hole perimeter to tighten up the hole.

 

[Soundguy]

most grease guns have an adjustable tip by turning hte outter sheath.. check yours.. makes getting them off tight zerks easier.

if that staking doesn't hold the zerk well, next time it pulls out, take a flat face of a ball peen and hit the face of the hole several good times.. it will shrink the hold.. then tak a good drive zerk in, and again.. stake in if needed.

soundguy