Press in zerks...

[JSharp]

Why in the world did Cub use these crappy press in grease zerks on such a nice machine? When I had my deck off at 10 hours to grease and check everything out I had one that wouldn't take grease and another that pulled out. The dealer fixed them when it was back for the steering recall.

Had the deck off again this week at 25 hours to grease everything. Another zerk now won't take grease and the lower one that greases the steering shaft is falling out. It looks like the hole in the bracket is too large for a press in to stay.

I wonder if I should have the dealer come get it and fix it with more crappy press in zerks or fix it myself correctly with threaded ones that can actually be changed if they have problems...

 

[micman32]

Most likely to save $$$$$ they used the press in zerks. I would just fix them the right way and be done! Let us know what you decide!

 

[Fordlords]

This came up a while back when I had the same problem with the press in zerks falling out with MTD replacement spindles used on my old IH 44C deck. Just the pressure from the grease gun would pop them out on the new spindles. I invested in threaded zerks and used a bottoming tap (both available at better hardware stores for a few bucks) to make the threads. I tried using loctite on the press-in zerks but they still popped out- they should be outlawed!

-Fordlords-

 

[JSharp]

Fordlords - I was probably one who thought Loctite woud work. I guess you've answered that for us. I think I'll pick up a box of threaded zerks and just change them out as needed.

Did you have to drill the holes larger before you tapped them or were they close enough to get the tap to start? If they are it would certainly simplify it. I'd rather not have to take everything apart...

 

[Fordlords]

In my case I did not have to drill the hole out larger, the bottoming tap started into the spindle fairly easily- I did have to block the spindles underneath using the blades to keep them from spinning. The threads are soft, but do not leak grease and the zerks stay put- I did put some Loctite on the zerk threads to be safe.

-Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

Fellas, do the press in zerks still have a hex head on them? I've been lucky with my 2544, have not lost a zerk yet. Some do take some finagling to take grease, but so far so good.

Thanks
Joel

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

Fellas, do the press in zerks still have a hex head on them? I've been lucky with my 2544, have not lost a zerk yet. Some do take some finagling to take grease, but so far so good.

Thanks
Joel

The ones I had all had round heads on them.

Bob B.

 

[JSharp]

All of the ones on my tractor are round except the 3 in the top of the deck spindles. Those have hex collars so I'm guessing they're threaded.

I picked up a package of 1/4" X 28 threaded zerks and I already have a bottoming tap and drill if I need one. I'll be replacing them as needed. Think I can send the labor bill to MTD? :lol:

 

[Fordlords]

Yep, send the bill to MTD

Usually if there is a hex head, the zerk is threaded the hex head being used to tighten it. My deck spindles were MTD replacement parts, and had press ins, about the last place you want them with the vibration and spinning. I will admit the MTD spindle bodies I think are better than the original IH parts, the MTD's being a heavy aluminum casting. The old IH spindles were made from steel stampings that rusted badly.

-Fordlords-

 

[JSharp]

The cast spindle housings on mine look to be heavy duty and good quality. In fact, the whole deck looks that way and is one of the reasons I bought the tractor in the first place. If it weren't for the silly press in zerks my complaint column on this unit would be about empty. Give me real zerks and a larger gas tank and I'd be hard pressed to find anything at all to (complain) about. Truly a rarity for me...