Press in Zerk fittings

Fordlords · May 10, 2006

I have just been a victim of the pressed in zerk grease fittings I have heard others here complain about. When I replaced the components into my new 44" deck housing, I was able to re-use one of the three old spindles as it had been replaced only a few seasons earlier and showed no wear- it came to us as a new old stock International Harvester part. The other two I replaced with brand new MTD spindle assemblies. All the spindles greased fine upon initial re-assembly with the deck off the tractor.

I went to grease everything again today, and 2 of the 3 grease fittings came out of the spindles stuck in the grease gun- you guessed it, the two new spindles. Now I am worried about just pushing them back in figuring they could just fly out when the deck is in use. Short of removing the deck from tractor and putting good tapped fittings in, is there any way to keep the pressed in zerks in place for this year? I can literally pull them out with finger force.

-Fordlords-

JerryG · May 10, 2006

Pien the hole with a punch and then install the zerk.

Bob_Bainbridge · May 10, 2006

Besides peening the holes you might apply a little loctite on the fitting.

Bob B.

KJO · May 11, 2006

I have had this same problem Fordlords. If the tip of your grease gun is slightly loose (unthreaded) will will grab the grease zerk so you can't get it loose and end up pulling the zerk right out. I have had zerks that were threaded come right out also.
As I have that same deck you are working on (except slightly wider) I am wondering whether you will be able to tap the spindle for threaded zerks or not.
The ability to grease moving parts was one factor which steered me toward buying Cub Cadet in the first place, but I never considered having problems with the zerks.

JSharp · May 11, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Besides peening the holes you might apply a little loctite on the fitting.

Bob B. )</font>

If he can clean the hole and the zirk up before using it, red Loctite would hold it well enough it would never come out.

bermuda_ken · May 11, 2006

Be sure to grease the tractor or deck AFTER use, NOT before.

Here's why.....

By greasing after use, as the bearing cools the grease will drawn into the bearing pores via wicking action and actually repack the bearing better. By greasing the machine when its "hot" you will not blow a seal out either.....

Greasing when the machine is cold will wreck/blow more seals.

Fordlords · May 12, 2006

Thanks everyone for the ideas and pointers. I'll try using the loctite first to keep them in, plenty of that in the tool box /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

-Fordlords-

kenrs · May 14, 2006

Try 603, 609 or 680 Loctite. (680 is my favorite, WAY stronger than "red" just be careful) More expensive and harder to find, but it's TOUGH. And do no use it on bolts, etc, unless you really DO NOT want them to ever come out without a big fight. And make sure it's absolutely clean on the surfaces if not using LT603. Or just tap in new ones and LT if you have the "meat"

KEN