zirk weirdness

KiotiJohn · May 22, 2005

( Here is the offending grease fitting. I have cleaned it inside, tried to leave some penatrating lube in it then tried to fill it with all the pressure I could muster.
When I had the fitting off, I see a shiney bottom. I see no hole the grease is to travel thru, though maybe there's not supposed to be one. ??? )
I believe the zerk opens to a small, almost, "sandwiched" area of metal. In other words, behind the zerk the grease would go in an spread into the surrounding area where the metal mates. There wouldn't necessarily be another opening that you can see, but they would be on the sides of the opening at the end of the zerk. Try doing the lifting and moving thing.
John

em14 · May 22, 2005

I would take the bad fitting to a Auto Store, Tractor Place etc., and buy a replacement and some spares. I just don't think the time it takes to try and fix these things is worth the effort. Many times this happens to me in fields many miles from a "store" and my shop. I just take the bad guy out and replace it and finish my lub job and get to work.
Leo

rcrcomputing · May 22, 2005

( I would take the bad fitting to a Auto Store, Tractor Place etc., and buy a replacement and some spares. I just don't think the time it takes to try and fix these things is worth the effort. Many times this happens to me in fields many miles from a "store" and my shop. I just take the bad guy out and replace it and finish my lub job and get to work.
Leo )

I may have been unclear. I replace the fitting. The problem is further in.

MMM · May 22, 2005

There's tool called a zirk blaster or something of the sort. You hit it with a hammer after pumping it full with gun (still need to replace or clean fiiting first so you don't drive dirt into bushing). Also there are fittings for running tubing with a zerk at end for your hard to reach spots. We use then at work, but it's all European supplied. If you have metric fittings, I could give you a vendor.

hobbyfarm · May 22, 2005

( My dealer is to far away to bother him with a silly grease fitting. )

rcrcomputing,
The only problem with that is your warranty. When the part fails and the dealer has to inspect the part that failed, he has an "out" due to improper maintenance since it didn't receive proper lubrication.

PineRidge · May 22, 2005

I talked with a chap that worked for the City Of Barberton, Ohio in their maintenance department. Seems they were using a few New Holland Class III tractors equipped with SuperSteer for their grounds maintenance.

Anyhow the person that was responsible for lubing the rigs was missing the Zerk intended to lube the top bearing on the SuperSteer axle since it's in a hard to get to spot.

As a result they had bearings fail prematurely because of a lack of grease. Once they found out were the Zerk's were located they installed a type of flexible tubing that had a Zerk that was permanently affixed out in plain sight so their mechanics could easily grease the bearing point.

Said they haven't had a failure with a SuperSteer axle bearing since that modification.

DK35vince · May 22, 2005

The fitting in your picture is the front axle pivot.
If the fitting itself (while not installed) takes grease and the hole where the fitting goes in is open it may be something else.
There is a bushing inside and the bushings grease hole may not be lined up with the hole for the grease fitting.
If that is the case drill a new hole through the bushing so grease can get into the pivot area.
My 2 cents

rcrcomputing · May 22, 2005

( The fitting in your picture is the front axle pivot.
If the fitting itself (while not installed) takes grease and the hole where the fitting goes in is open it may be something else.
There is a bushing inside and the bushings grease hole may not be lined up with the hole for the grease fitting.
If that is the case drill a new hole through the bushing so grease can get into the pivot area.
My 2 cents )

This seems reasonable. I will replace the fitting a SECOND time tomarrow just for grins, then ask my dealer what he thinks about the new hole in the shiny bushing I can see.

em14 · May 22, 2005

If the second replacement doesnot take care of the problem is possible to "take the load off" the joint. I have had hard to lub fittings that I had to do this with before I could get some grease fittings to take grease.
Leo

MMM · May 22, 2005

I think Vince hit it on the head. I guess missed the "shiny bottom" post first time around. If under warranty, I'd take it to dealer. May of never had grease in it's life due to misaligned installation at factory. Damage may already be done.