Greasing Steering Spindles

[Pinch]

Have a 1981 JD 950 compact tractor that I am trying to service myself. Supposed to grease the steering spindles every 50 hours and according to JD there are two fittings on each spindle but I can only find one. Manual says to "remove the RELIEF PLUGS and apply several shots of grease to spindles." Here are some images:



I can see only one grease fitting and I'm not sure what the relief plugs are. Any help is appreciated.

 

[jgayman]

Below is the parts breakdown for the 950 front axle. I don't see anything that screams "relief plug" unless it is #24.

 

[beenthere]

Pinch
Maybe removing the old grease and dirt will expose the plug.. would make a better picture too. just sayin....

Meant to help, not to impugn ...

 

[seville009]

Pinch
Maybe removing the old grease and dirt will expose the plug.. would make a better picture too. just sayin....

Meant to help, not to impugn ...

Agree with this.....on my truck ujoints I have to stick my finger in there first to dig it out and locate the zerk.

It may be too that your zerks have long since fallen out. If that’s the case, scrapping all the crud off (pressure washer works great) should let you find the zerk hole and you can screw a new zerk un.

 

[Seven Gables]

Just guessing but I think you might be right with #24. Looks like when you put grease in above it comes out #24 at bottom bushing when full enough. Can you see any other reason or function for #24 ?

 

[jgayman]

Just guessing but I think you might be right with #24. Looks like when you put grease in above it comes out #24 at bottom bushing when full enough. Can you see any other reason or function for #24 ?

From the parts illustration alone it is difficult to say exactly what #24 is for. I was going to check the manual but unfortunately JD no longer allows on-line access to the 950 manual. Which, them removing access to older manuals is typical.

 

[Pinch]

Thanks for the responses. I agree that I need to clean up the caked on grease. I have massaged each spindle up and down and there is no additional fitting, but the idea that it may be missing from both sides is possible. I found the owner's manual online and copied this image confirming that JD says there are two grease fittings at each spindle:



It looks like the lower fitting is near where #24 is in the parts diagram. What do you think? I'll clean those spindles today

 

[jgayman]

Agree, the bottom arrow seems to be pointing to where #24 is.

 

[Pinch]

Gentleman, I give you #24



Here the instructions in the owner's manual (every 50 hours): "Apply several shots of grease to tie rod ends. REMOVE RELIEF PLUGS (yes this is in caps) and apply several shots of grease to steering spindles. Install plugs."



So am I supposed to remove #24, grease the existing fittings on the spindles and then reinstall the #24? Do you pump grease until it comes out the hole #24 was in? Anyone seen this before or maybe have a service manual to verify? Thanks.

 

[jgayman]

If it were ME and I was reading the manual entry that you posted, I would grease all of the existing zerks. Then, I would remove #24, insert a rubber tipped grease adapter like shown below, and pump in several shots of grease. Then reinstall #24.

 

[Pinch]

Thanks jgayman! That makes a lot of sense once interpreted correctly. Question: is it possible to over-grease in such a situation? Unlike regular fittings where the excess flows out, this sounds like a sealed system.

 

[Peter 315]

Thanks jgayman! That makes a lot of sense once interpreted correctly. Question: is it possible to over-grease in such a situation? Unlike regular fittings where the excess flows out, this sounds like a sealed system.

That's why you take the plugs out (24) so you don't blow the seals out ..

 

[Pinch]

I'm sorry for the newbie questions but when are you at risk of blowing the seals: Do I remove 24 before greasing the zerk fitting on the spindle? Do I then inject grease into 24's hole?

 

[Peter 315]

I'm sorry for the newbie questions but when are you at risk of blowing the seals: Do I remove 24 before greasing the zerk fitting on the spindle? Do I then inject grease into 24's hole?

Take the plugs out first then grease the spindles until grease comes out the plug hole, wipe it off and put the plug back in to keep water and dirt out

 

[Pinch]

Crap. When I greased it the other day I didn't do that. Hopefully I didn't screw it up. Thank you!

 

[Peter 315]

Crap. When I greased it the other day I didn't do that. Hopefully I didn't screw it up. Thank you!

The seals are probably worn anyways the grease might have leaked by the seal

 

[jgayman]

Thanks jgayman! That makes a lot of sense once interpreted correctly. Question: is it possible to over-grease in such a situation? Unlike regular fittings where the excess flows out, this sounds like a sealed system.

It's not really a "sealed" system but there are seals. It is sometimes possible to grease with too much pressure especially when using a battery powered or pneumatic grease gun. My landscape trailer for example warns to not use a powered grease gun to grease the wheel bearings.

I see some folks recommending to remove the plug and then grease the zerk until grease comes out the hole. That should work. I also think you can grease it exactly like instructed in the manual, give 3-4 pumps in the zerk and give 3-4 pumps into the open hole where the plug is.