Lock n lube grease gun fitting

Frankenkubota · Sep 5, 2020

So sorry, I know there is a lock n lube thread but when I search I get threads about tires locking up etc.

I do not interface well with technology, I AM A LUDDITE!

With that said, my new lock n lube fitting quit on me. It was working fine, had 2 more zerks to do and noticed the grease coming back at me, not going into the fitting.

That usually means I had not made the connection properly. Nope.

Everything seemed to hook up fine but, the grease keeps coming back at me!

I知 curious, is there some kind of pin or something in the lock n lube the depresses the spring loaded ball bearing in the zerk? Or is it the pressure? I tried 3 different known working fittings so......

I知 going to tear it apart but, thought I壇 ask the experts first.

Made in S. Africa. When痴 the last time you bought anything made in S Africa, except diamonds!

Multi Gracie!

TractorGuy · Sep 5, 2020

I had a love/hate relationship with mine for a year. When it finally quit working I installed the rebuild kit that came with it. It has worked much better since then. I almost gave up on putting the kit in because it was such a bear to get apart. Had to clamp the nut base in a vise and use vice grips on the barrel but it finally gave in.

When it dies again I won't be replacing it.

WranglerX · Sep 5, 2020

Al lot of time when I have had grease coming back at me, I find the little ball in zerk as seized to housing... Don't have lock-n-lube but considering it... But over years I have had to free up ball in zerks to get it to accept grease.....

Dale

John_Mc · Sep 5, 2020

DL Meisen said:
Al lot of time when I have had grease coming back at me, I find the little ball in zerk as seized to housing... Don't have lock-n-lube but considering it... But over years I have had to free up ball in zerks to get it to accept grease.....

Got any good tricks to share for freeing up that ball?

fried1765 · Sep 5, 2020

John_Mc said:
Got any good tricks to share for freeing up that ball?

YUP ......it is called.....Grease Joint Rejuvenator

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Not cheap, but it works!
$45 @ Northern Tool, $50 @ TSC

WranglerX · Sep 5, 2020

John_Mc said:
Got any good tricks to share for freeing up that ball?

Just use pointed object (awl) and tap it light with small hammer or palm of you hand...... Finish "nail set" works well as long a it is smaller the ball opening...

Dale

ruffdog · Sep 5, 2020

Cheap zerks too?

Frankenkubota · Sep 6, 2020

I forgot about the rebuild kit. As far as ceased zerks, maybe not because I did one, normal, next one, grease came back at me, immediately went to the one I’d just done, same problem so, probably failed gadget.

Virtually every gadget I get works good for 6 months, then ...... not so much.

This forum is amazing. As always, many thx

John_Mc · Sep 6, 2020

fried1765 said:
YUP ......it is called.....Grease Joint Rejuvenator

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Not cheap, but it works!
$45 @ Northern Tool, $50 @ TSC

Already own one of those. They are handy, but don't free up every joint. One of these days I'll lay in a supply of replacement zerks in various sizes and orientations so I can just replace the stubborn ones.

fried1765 · Sep 6, 2020

John_Mc said:
Already own one of those. They are handy, but don't free up every joint. One of these days I'll lay in a supply of replacement zerks in various sizes and orientations so I can just replace the stubborn ones.

Sometimes it is not actually the zerk that is the problem.
Sometimes grease has hardened, or dirt has accumulated beneath the zerk.
That is when the Grease Joint Rejuvinator is most appropriate.

Tinhack · Sep 6, 2020

When I have a problem with a grease fitting, I replace it!

I have several of those cases of fittings. It's not worth fighting with them. I've also had two of the Lock-n-Lube copies for about 4-5 years. No problems. I've noticed some fittings "leak" but they look undersized so a quick grip adjustment usually fixes that. Those leaky fittings must be metric.

Tinhack · Sep 6, 2020

fried1765 said:
Sometimes it is not actually the zerk that is the problem.
Sometimes grease has hardened, or dirt has accumulated beneath the zerk.
That is when the Grease Joint Rejuvinator is most appropriate.

Oh sure. Drive all that dried up grease and dirt down into the part! That will fix it.

fried1765 · Sep 6, 2020

Tinhack said:
When I have a problem with a grease fitting, I replace it! I have several of those cases of fittings. It's not worth fighting with them. I've also had two of the Lock-n-Lube copies for about 4-5 years. No problems. I've noticed some fittings "leak" but they look undersized so a quick grip adjustment usually fixes that. Those leaky fittings must be metric.

What is your solution when the (new) replaced grease fitting will not accept grease either?

PILOON · Sep 6, 2020

John_Mc said:
Already own one of those. They are handy, but don't free up every joint. One of these days I'll lay in a supply of replacement zerks in various sizes and orientations so I can just replace the stubborn ones.

I got lucky there.
At a gov't sale I bought a nice assortment in a 30 or so tray kit for $10.00.
Just about every angle and thread styles made.
I separated the assortment in 2 and sold the 1/2 to a mechanic buddy for $10.00.
He was very pleased.

LOL, then used the 'tray kit' for transporting my assortment of wood screws to job sites.

Guess that's called a 'win win'.

TractorGuy · Sep 6, 2020

Probably the most common reason a fitting won't take grease is having pressure on the side of the pin the fitting is on. Often just moving the bucket or whatever to relieve that pressure is all that is needed to get grease to flow.

Generally if I encounter a fitting that won't take grease I remove the fitting, dig all the dried grease out of the hole with a scribe, and stick the removed fitting on the grease gun to verify it operates. It is rare since I service all my equipment and use grease that doesn't harden quickly. I do on occasion have to fight with a pin here or there on my backhoe. Seems forcing things down into the dirt can have consequences.

ruffdog · Sep 6, 2020

TractorGuy said:
Probably the most common reason a fitting won't take grease is having pressure on the side of the pin the fitting is on. Often just moving the bucket or whatever to relieve that pressure is all that is needed to get grease to flow.

Generally if I encounter a fitting that won't take grease I remove the fitting, dig all the dried grease out of the hole with a scribe, and stick the removed fitting on the grease gun to verify it operates. It is rare since I service all my equipment and use grease that doesn't harden quickly. I do on occasion have to fight with a pin here or there on my backhoe. Seems forcing things down into the dirt can have consequences.

^^^agree with this^^ I always try to grease when the pressure is opposite from normal wear so the grease is where it will do the most good.

oosik · Sep 6, 2020

I have a L'nL. Works great where you need a third hand. DOES NOT work on many of the zerks on the FEL. Many zerks on the FEL are in a recessed "pocket". The outer diameter of the L'nL is greater than the diameter of the recessed pocket. Back to one of my standard guns.

I've had one zerk that refused to take grease. I replaced it. I have one zerk that is ALWAYS a pain in the azz. Raise the upper jaw of the grapple - life is good.

I have two multi-multi packs of grease zerks. About 20% will ever fit and be used.

Skeans1 · Sep 6, 2020

oosik said:
I have a L'nL. Works great where you need a third hand. DOES NOT work on many of the zerks on the FEL. Many zerks on the FEL are in a recessed "pocket". The outer diameter of the L'nL is greater than the diameter of the recessed pocket. Back to one of my standard guns.

I've had one zerk that refused to take grease. I replaced it. I have one zerk that is ALWAYS a pain in the azz. Raise the upper jaw of the grapple - life is good.

I have two multi-multi packs of grease zerks. About 20% will ever fit and be used.

They make a longer version of the standard one that will fit into most spaces.

Tinhack · Sep 6, 2020

fried1765 said:
What is your solution when the (new) replaced grease fitting will not accept grease either?

Then it's not the grease fitting that's bad. Fix what's bad. Ignoring the real problem won't make it go away. :confused3:

dfkrug · Sep 6, 2020

oosik said:
DOES NOT work on many of the zerks on the FEL. Many zerks on the FEL are in a recessed "pocket". The outer diameter of the L'nL is greater than the diameter of the recessed pocket. Back to one of my standard guns.

my LnL clone has a 5/8" OD, and that did not fit all of my recessed zerks. Sometimes it was cuz the zerk was off center. Other times the ID of the pin depression was a hair less than 5/8".

My solution was to remove the zerk, then drill the depression with a 5/8" drill.

Some equipment has pivots that use removable sleeve bearings, and the zerk is perpendicular to the pin. If those don't take grease and the zerk is good, the problem is usually the sleeve has spun and blocked the hole.