Press in Zerk fittings

Morkai · Mar 27, 2008

I had one pull out of a front spindle, and damaged beyond repair trying to get it loose from the grease gun. What size should I get to replace them with threaded fittings?

JTKub · Mar 27, 2008

Morkai said:
What size should I get to replace them with threaded fittings?

What ever size you decide to tap the hole. Standard I believe would be a 1/4-28 zerk fitting. Drill a 7/32" hole and tap it 1/4-28.

Joel

Morkai · Mar 27, 2008

Man, too do all that I'd have to break it all down and make sure there are no metal shavings inside as well. That would mean dropping the front axle. Maybe just trying to loctite a new press in fitting would be best. What size is the original fitting?

prpbmw · Mar 28, 2008

When you drill and tap, put some grease on the drill bit and tap.

The metal shavings will stick to the grease.

Morkai · Mar 28, 2008

It's still going to push some shavings into the inside and with all the grease it won't be easy to get out.

moe1942 · Mar 29, 2008

A way to clear the hole of shavings is to hose it out first with whatever then use an inflator for basket balls and stick it all the way to the bottom of the hole. Plus you aren't going to damage anything with a few particles of metal..

Morkai · Mar 29, 2008

Well, I picked up some 1/4-28 fittings at Tractor Supply, so I guess I'm gonna try tapping them. I'll prob just take the hole axle off and apart. That's a good idea about the needle inflater, I have one.....somewhere.

Bob_Bainbridge · Mar 29, 2008

I once owned a 1973 Mercury Capris, back when "permanently lubricated - never grease" became popular. There were no grease fittings or even holes for them. The tie rod ends froze up and made a horrendous squeaking noise. I drilled, tapped and flushed the holes out with a spray can of degreaser. and installed zerk fittings. Those tie rod joints were still on the car many years later when I traded it in.

Bob B.

JSharp · Mar 30, 2008

I'm starting to think most of the problem with the press in zerks is that they aren't installed correctly. The factory just doesn't drive them in far enough.

I had a few fall out on my 2554. A couple I tapped out 1/4 X 28 and used thread in parts. But a couple of others I couldn't thread easily so I just drove in new press in parts and made sure they were in all the way.

I've had no trouble with the ones I installed...

moe1942 · Mar 30, 2008

When removing grease gun from drive in zerks it helps to loosen the tip if it feels too tight. I leave mine finger tight so I can adjust for different zerks. The new zerks are shaped different than the old style and don't seem to want to let go.