Grease zerk problem/question

[Gregster613]

Hi TYM'rs,
I've got a zerk that just won't seem to take grease and I don't know just how much it needs or even its importance. I didn't take the time to look up the proper name in the manual, but it's the zerk dead center of the front end. It's on a large round chunk of steel with a bolt in it that looks like an adjustment for the steering or whatever. I see no seals, bearings, etc., etc.

I don't have the time to take a picture right now so I thought I'd just explain it and see if'n I'd get a response//answer. If not I'll get a picture sometime this week.

I try pumping grease into it and it forces the grease gun off the fitting. I even went and bought an air grease gun to maybe force a shot or two into it with no luck. Have any of you had problems with this fitting? Just how much grease does it need? 4 - 5 shots? Does grease seep out somewhere once it's full? Or is the simple fact that it won't accept grease mean that its full?? I know all about the grease gun knurl adjustment and such and that's not the problem.
I could use someone elses thoughts on this. Thanks, Greg

 

[Cat_Driver]

A couple of things. Punch in the center of the zerk with something sharp, like a nail head and see if the center pushes IN. If it does. change the position of whatever you are greasing, forward - back, up - down etc.

 

[Marveltone]

Does the zerk have paint on it? That could keep it from accepting grease. If so, scrape the paint off with a pocket knife. If not, simply get a new zerk (they're less than $1.00) and replace it. It's usually a simple enough job.

Joe

 

[Transit]

Have you tried removing it or just replace it?
How much grease? Enough to see it coming out the joint.

 

[k0ua]

I dont know anything about TYM, but on a kubota you are supposed to remove the breather plug nearby the fitting. I think the idea is to keep from blowing out a seal or something. Not sure.

 

[k0ua]

here is a pix of the kubota front axle and the breather

 

[Gregster613]

Well I guess the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" holds true!

I dug through my manual and found the proper nomenclature - It's called the front pivot, both front and back have grease nipples in 'em.

Anyway, I tried KOua's suggestion & loosened up the cap at my front end 90W fill point [since TYM has no front axel vent]; but still, no grease would go in. Thanks for that idea anyhow KOua, it was sure worth a shot!

Fustrated, I removed the grease nipple and grease started to slowly push/ooze out the empty hole! I quickly stuck the fitting into my gun and yes grease does flow through it; so I just as quickly screwed it back into the hole and I believe I can stop worrying about it. Obvisouly (sp) grease is not needed nor that critical at those pivot points. I will keep it in mind @ regular grease intervals but I'm not gonna worry if it still won't take grease.
Thanks for the thoughts guys, Greg

 

[Smallplot]

Just found this post. You might try these two things if applicable:

If you have a front loader lower it so the front end just comes off the ground to relieve pressure
Or
If it is on the steering linkage have someone slowly turn the steering wheel while you try to get the zerk to take grease. It may take with wheels turned one way or the other. Just make sure the parking break is set and you trust the person helping will not touch any other controls

 

[vabiker23518]

I have a similar problem with one of my T233 zerks on the side that greases the brake pedal. It just won't take. I removed it and grease will go thru the fitting. I also replaced with a new one with same result. I tried to poke out any dry or hard grease in the cup. Still won't accept it. Not sure what to do next. At least the brakes work!

 

[myyaz33]

I have a similar problem with one of my T233 zerks on the side that greases the brake pedal. It just won't take. I removed it and grease will go thru the fitting. I also replaced with a new one with same result. I tried to poke out any dry or hard grease in the cup. Still won't accept it. Not sure what to do next. At least the brakes work!

I see the same thing on my 273. I hit it with fluid film every now and then and call it good.

 

[5030]

I have a similar problem with one of my T233 zerks on the side that greases the brake pedal. It just won't take. I removed it and grease will go thru the fitting. I also replaced with a new one with same result. I tried to poke out any dry or hard grease in the cup. Still won't accept it. Not sure what to do next. At least the brakes work!

Not for long grasshopper..........:laughing:

Pull the Zerk and spray in some PBBlaster. You have hardened grease, probably from lack of maintenance on your part or ignorance. The PB will soften the hard grease. Replace the Zerk with a new one as well. Zerk's are very cheap, maybe 25 cents each. If it still won't take grease, you can try heating the joint a bit. That too will soften the hard grease. Last resort is taking it apart and cleaning out the old gard crap grease and then greasing it regularly, like it should have been in the first place.

Using cheap clay based grease (like the TSC Traveller bulk brand) leads to hardened grease and plugged fittings because the grease has clay in it and it sets up with time and heat. If you use a good grade of synthetic grease (with no clay), it won't get hard and ruin your day......

The drawing of the breather plug (Kubota) only applies to the Grand L series. and maybe the smaller tractors. The large frame Kubota's have no breathers, you just grease the pivots unti the grease comes out from around the seal.

 

[Gregster613]

It's not quite that simple 5030, that particular joint has the junction (where the seperate levers connect) right at the center and mine does the same thing.
I grease mine regularly and the grease squeaks out just after the first pedal gets its share; thus leaving the second lever semi dry. I haven't worried about it much cause I don't use either individual brake often (if at all) but I understand the fustration about trying to do something right and not getting a desired result.
You are likely right about squirting in PB blaster to soften up the old grease and "maybe" getting new grease to continue on down the path. I will have to try it and see if it changes anything.

 

[RobertBrown]

It's not quite that simple 5030, that particular joint has the junction (where the seperate levers connect) right at the center and mine does the same thing.
I grease mine regularly and the grease squeaks out just after the first pedal gets its share; thus leaving the second lever semi dry. I haven't worried about it much cause I don't use either individual brake often (if at all) but I understand the fustration about trying to do something right and not getting a desired result.
You are likely right about squirting in PB blaster to soften up the old grease and "maybe" getting new grease to continue on down the path. I will have to try it and see if it changes anything.

Why don't you just get a new zerk and screw it in where the old, problem zerk was? A grease zerk is only a buck or two at the most.
did I miss something?

 

[vabiker23518]

I have a similar problem with one of my T233 zerks on the side that greases the brake pedal. It just won't take. I removed it and grease will go thru the fitting. I also replaced with a new one with same result. I tried to poke out any dry or hard grease in the cup. Still won't accept it. Not sure what to do next. At least the brakes work!

Know this is a very old post, but wanted to advise TYM folks that when I had some warranty work done on my tractor, I advised them this was a continuing problem. As it turns out, the inside passageway was not drilled out! Dealer fixed it and the grease does pump now.

 

[myyaz33]

Know this is a very old post, but wanted to advise TYM folks that when I had some warranty work done on my tractor, I advised them this was a continuing problem. As it turns out, the inside passageway was not drilled out! Dealer fixed it and the grease does pump now.

Good to know why it never accepted grease. I had just been hitting it with fluid film from time to time and wish for the best. I might decide to actually fix the problem someday!

 

[Bud Soda]

Mine would never take grease from day one. I think the tractor will be worn out before that part fails. I never use the breaks anyway.

 

[ALKY]

my brakes don't work anyway