Thread Sealant, Grease Fitting

[trlong]

Crutches,

Yup, I was thinking of 545, not the 271, etc... However, the Red " 271" is a good threadlock and sealant. I've used it in production for 100 p.s.i. fittings (high pressure medical test equipment). With decent, and clean, thread machining and cured properly, it will lock and seal the threads very well and hold in excess of 110 p.s.i. to medical spec.'s. Ofcourse, I wasn't dealing with grease and for the 271, if you ever want to get the fittings apart you'll have to heat it a bit. Removal of the old 271 is easiest with acetone but Ooops, there goes any paint /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As for what is actually causing the leak, I'm still at a loss. I had to get some work out of the FEL today. So, I just shot more grease into the fitting with the nipple out and snugged the nipple back in. It's got plenty of grease in it anyway. I'll have more time tomorrow to look into it and try to seal the threads.

Tom

 

[trlong]

Roy, and Crutches,

"Zerk", well I learn something new every day. Interesting term. I've always heard grease "nipple". Risking being a "zerk" myself /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif, I think I'll stick with "nipple", I like it better and is easier to relate to........OUCH /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif...

.........just got a dope slap from my wife! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Wait 'til she hears all the terms for electrical connectors and wire cutting tools /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[Farwell]

Just a thought, take a zerk or "nipple" from another area of your tractor and give that a try, this way you may be able to see if it is the zerk/nipple or the hole that it is threaded into that is causing the problem. I have had to drill out a couple of zerk fitting holes to the next larger size in some older well used implements. Buy the new fitting before the hole is drilled and tapped. I have an older very well used draw-bar disc that has all of the zerk fittings rusted off and most of the bearings pretty well shot and I have to slap the grease on them hoping that it helps a little or at the very least stops the squeaks. The disc still works like a champ.
Farwell

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I haven't tried it on a grease fitting before but it does conform well, if given several wraps in the opposite direction of the thread. Just have to cut it REALLY thin to wrap on a short nipple thread, so as not to put strings of it into the grease joint.
)</font>

Ordinarily I try to avoid using teflon tape in areas where 'thread-shedding' might clog a venturi or oil port.. etc.. however in a grease fitting for a bushing.. I'm guessing the tolerances are 'macro' not 'micro'.. and a small shred of teflon probably won't do anything more than act like a lubricant anyway... Just my opinion..

Soundguy

 

[trlong]

Soundguy, and all,

Thanks. I did put some teflon tape on it today and it took care of the leak. I thought the same...the fitting is designed to push out water, dirt, etc...so shredded teflon shouldn't be an issue. Figured it was quickest fix at this point and I have to get a wall finished before the weather turns.

At some point, I'll try to figure out exactly why it was leaking and may have to tap out for a slightly larger fitting..not sure.

Tom

 

[Holzster]

Farwell gave great advice -

I had the same issue on my Kubota FEL - I just bored it to the next higher size and all was OK - I thought that a couple of the threads were missing alowing the grease to come out under pressure.

 

[trlong]

awlchu, Roy, et. al.,

Jus too tie things up, I took the easy way and used the teflon tape. Worked like a charm (with the original zerk since the dealer replacement was not right). So far, no further leaks. Thanks for the help. Hopefully it will hold for now and, as the FEL will be stored for the winter (blower will be on the front end), I'll try to find the correct replacement zerk in the spring and, maybe pipe dope it.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[escavader]

Teflon tape or thread sealant shouldnt be nessasary with a pipe thread ,the further you wind it in the tighter it grips.If you tryed a new fitting and it still leaked, i would suspect,something not right in the deere itself,perhaps the fitting got wacked and screwed up the hole.probably could drill and tap to a bigger size,but if that tape worked i guess i wouldnt mess with it.
ALAN

 

[trlong]

Alan,

Thanks. The "new" fitting was not the correct fitting. There seemed to be no taper to it (the dealer gave me the wrong replacement). The tape was a stop-gap for now and seems to have done the job. Now that the FEL work is pretty well done for the season, I'll try to get the correct replacement, or re-tap and get a slightly larger, proper, fitting. I still don't see anything that should have caused the leak. Guess it's a Winter Project for now.

Tom