Press in zerks...

[JTKub]

Upon further review, I think pretty much all the zerks are head-less press-in's on my 2544. I've been lucky so far as non have popped. I'm only about a 2-3 pump guy as it is (yikes) & don't hit'em too often, so I'll have to continue my light touch.

Joel

 

[OldMachinist]

For all you guys out there thinking about tapping your zerk holes be aware that tapping creates small chips that must be flushed out before inserting the new fitting. If you don't clean them out they will be forced into your bearings causing premature failure. The only sure way to prevent this is to completely clean out whatever part your working on after tapping.

 

[prpbmw]

Put a little grease on the tap, the metal shavings will stick to the grease.

 

[JSharp]

For all you guys out there thinking about tapping your zerk holes be aware that tapping creates small chips that must be flushed out before inserting the new fitting. If you don't clean them out they will be forced into your bearings causing premature failure. The only sure way to prevent this is to completely clean out whatever part your working on after tapping.

I thought about this previously and agree if it were one of the high speed roller bearings on the deck. I'd pull them apart before I tried to tap them. But I think the sleeve bearings on the deck wheels and idler arms and steering should be ok. Either the clearance is close enough it should stop whatever chips don't stay on a greased tap from getting into the the bearing, or it's loose enough that flushing it out with fresh grease when I'm done should take care of the problem. I intend to clean the holes out with a q-tip and some solvent before I put the zerk in anyway just to be sure.

I admit that's a guess, but it makes sense to me...

 

[Fordlords]

I just did the q-tip with some oil on it deal after I tapped the threads for the spindles. Thankfully with this job, very few threads have to be cut to install the zerks. Had I known the press in zerks would be a problem, I would have done it the best way by taking the spindle apart to tap it and flush the shaft out before I installed them. I think as long as you keep things as clean as possible and clean the threads and holes after you tap them as mentioned, you should be OK.

-Fordlords-