Grease nipples

[K man]

Hi guys I have a stupid question. When I grease the nipples on my tractor loader some of the nipples come out when I pull back the grease gun. Is this a common problem or maybe I am doing something wrong. I know sometimes it is a struggle to get the gun to release the nipples and that is when they come out. Any suggestions would help greatly.
Thanks
Gilles

 

[rswyan]

Likely press-fit grease nipples ... tap the hole with a pipe thread tap and replace them with threaded grease fittings.

 

[downsizingnow48]

You can go in at an angle with thin center punch and dimple the sides of the hole in three or four places. That is what I have done. Tightens up the clearance.

 

[Creamer]

You can go in at an angle with thin center punch and dimple the sides of the hole in three or four places. That is what I have done. Tightens up the clearance.

Agree. The hole was made too big and there is not enough press fit. By using the center punch the metal is pushed up to tighten the fit. The press fit should need to be tapped lightly on to insert them. They should not just slide in as I am guessing yours do as you replace them.

The other option is to ovalize the base fo the grease fitting a little but be very careful. Try Downsizing's idea first.

 

[aeblank]

A lockNlube would work easier, wouldn't it?
I don't have one, but it's on my Christmas list.....

 

[Gary Fowler]

Do you know that the grease nipple chuck is two pieces and can be loosened so it can easily be detached. They are a bear sometimes to break the screw joint but they will unscrew. Just hold at each end at the knurled sites on the chuck and turn it counter-clockwise to break it apart. Once it is loose, you can move it by hand to adjust to each grease zerk (nipple) for proper seal and release.

 

[K man]

Well guys I had a heck of a time taking the nipple off the grease gun tip. I used a pair of vice grips and man oh man she was a ***** to take off. I was afraid of stripping the grooves off. Maybe it is the tip of the grease gun. Funny I greased the nipples on my snow blower/quick attach with no problems till I did the first one the loader. Weird.
I did notice that the nipples on the loader are brass and the snow blower white metal. Would that make a difference.

 

[ritcheyvs]

Did you loosen the coupler per Gary's post (#6)? Many of us consider the overpriced (but well worth it) Lock-n-lube the best answer.

 

[rd_macgregor]

Many of us consider the overpriced (but well worth it) Lock-n-lube the best answer.

This is a very accurate description of how I feel about my LnL.

 

[K man]

I just saw a video on lock-n-lube and I will get one looks like the best thing invented for greasing. Thanks all.