Stripped threads

Dusty · Nov 21, 2006

If it is not the Zerk fitting, then it has to be what the grease is going into that is blocked. If you can take it apart easily, that would be the best way. If not, can you put some heat to it to possibly soften up the old grease. Most grease will start to run at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so it won't take too much warmth. If it is a roller or ball bearing, then it would be best to take it apart, clean, and reinstall. Mixing grease types can often cause a chemical reaction that will harden the grease to a gum consistency. When this happens, cleaning or heat is the only method to repair this. If you get it warm enough, then grease it until new grease pushes out all the old, you will have resolved the problem.
Dusty

JerryG · Nov 21, 2006

Maine_Polack said:
I have a grease fitting "hole" that is stripped out. I can push the zerk in and out the hole easily.

I do not want to take the thing apart, or I would and tap for the larger zerk.

Can purchase a thread insert, but also have to get kit, $25,...Naw.

Any ideas/tips would be appreciated

You can take a ball pien hammer and tap the hole with the ball end lightly. This will bur the threads just enough to hold the zerk when it is screwed back in. It doesn't always work, but does a large part of the time.

JerryG · Nov 21, 2006

silverdollar6 said:
I had a zerk that would not take grease, I took the zerk out and cleaned it out and grease went through it until I put it back in the part, then it would not take grease again, what now?

If the Zerk is to grease a shaft, the shaft can be against the Zerk opening preventing grease from going in. On a loader for example, the loader can be moved around or some of the load taken off by pushing down on the ground to make the shaft move to the other side of the hole. That will usually allow the grease to flow in.

Soundguy · Nov 21, 2006

silverdollar6 said:
I had a zerk that would not take grease, I took the zerk out and cleaned it out and grease went through it until I put it back in the part, then it would not take grease again, what now?

The port/grease duct that zerk services is blocked. If it is a mobile joint.. like on a loader or backhoe.. try rotating the joint.. it may not have a grease track.. but rather just a grease hole.. and a pin may be right ont he hole. up against it blocking it.. just exercise the joint, then grease..

Soundguy

HomeBrew2 · Nov 21, 2006

If Jerry's good trick doesn't work, you can take a center punch and make a series of punches around the hole to decrease the diameter/create larger burrs.