Stubborn Grease Zerks

[kneedeep]

Got a couple of stubborn grease zerks on my Mahindra 112 FEL that are getting tougher to take grease. Replaced several and they are still difficult. tried loading and unloading the joints with some improvement.

Any tricks to make them take grease short of removing the pins and cleaning??

:confused3:

 

[whistlepig]

They don't make grease zerks like they used to. I had a 1964 Massey that had trouble free zerks. The ones they put on newer equipment these days just don't work as well.

 

[texasjohn]

remove pins, clean..takes less time than wrestling with zerk for me...problem arises because I don't grease as often as I should.

 

[RobertBrown]

Replace the zerks?

 

[texasjohn]

when pins are crusted with dry grease, zerk replacement is futile, zerk good but no place for grease to go.

 

[wolftree]

Try removing the zerks and using an oil can, squirt "Kroil" into it, then replace zerk. You may have to repeat several times. Kroil is an excellent penetratant.

 

[stuckmotor]

remove pins, clean..takes less time than wrestling with zerk for me...problem arises because I don't grease as often as I should.

I'm familiar with zerks, but don't know what a pin is. Please explain.

 

[creekbend]

Try removing the zerks and using an oil can, squirt "Kroil" into it, then replace zerk. You may have to repeat several times. Kroil is an excellent penetratant.

Thanks for the "Heads UP".

 

[jeff9366]

I'm familiar with zerks, but don't know what a pin is. Please explain.

A pin is the rotation point of your junctions. Almost always silver color because they are bare metal requiring grease. Metal surrounding the pin is called a trunnion. From my experience, pins are removable.....but sometimes not easily.

 

[texasjohn]

On my Kubota, the FEL pins are held in with a simple cross bolt. Remove bolt, carefully dive pin out part way and clean inside and out. full removal may require realignment using hydraulics.

 

[spruce Deere]

Not really without removing pins.... could buy one of those grease zerk tools that you fill with a penetrant like kroil, put it on the offending zerk and smack it with a hammer to force and flush grease in zerk and pin open.

I know a fella who cooks bigger grease protesting pins with a torch..... works but stinks, fires sometimes erupt, and hard on paint.

 

[RobertBrown]

I'm familiar with zerks, but don't know what a pin is. Please explain.

The pins facilitate the articulation ...... The are the bearing point, and therefore require lubrication.

 

[stuckmotor]

A pin is the rotation point of your junctions. Almost always silver color because they are bare metal requiring grease. Metal surrounding the pin is called a trunnion. From my experience, pins are removable.....but sometimes not easily.

Oooooooh, the pins that hold the arms and bucket on. I'd forgotten the zerks were on a FEL. Thanks, guys.

 

[medic0648]

I usually take the zirks out and set them in a small pan of wd40 overnight and pour wd40 into where they go if the grease is dry to break it up. Once clean regrease. Just put a foil pan or rags under the offending pin/joint to catch what comes out.

 

[kneedeep]

Not really without removing pins.... could buy one of those grease zerk tools that you fill with a penetrant like kroil, put it on the offending zerk and smack it with a hammer to force and flush grease in zerk and pin open.

I think you have answered my question and I found these on sale for 1/2 of what most are! Thanks! :thumbsup:

Welcome to Mechanics Tool Supply - Discount Mechanics Automotive Tools

 

[tcreeley]

I always have badluck putting the zerks back on. Some are press in and some screw in. Easy to strip, and hard to find the right size to replace. Metric and American zerks depending on the equipment. I do my best to leave the zerks alone. Pulling the pin is a good idea like someone said. I also have some on my FEL that I haven't been able to replace. You can get a cone shaped needle to put on your grease gun that allows you to put grease in the joint. There are also thinner needle tips that allow you to put grease in a zerk that your grease gun will not settle on to. There is always a way.

 

[firemanmike69]

You can also try moving the joint in question while you have pressure on it with the grease gun or you can make a fitting that threads in in place of the zerk that adapts to a port-a-power to force oil into the Joint

 

[deerseeker001]

cant beat kroil its the best at penetrating oil.

 

[Dingeryote]

Usually, when a zerk is locked up, it's on account of dried up crusty grease and mung under the Zerk and blocking flow.
Worse, it always seems to be on pins that are either a ******* to pull, or are a PITA to get back in, once pulled.

Keeping up on the greasing is the key, but we all brain fart one or two now and then.

I figured out a long time ago(Uncle Fred smacking me upside the head) heat cures lotsa things.
An overnight soak with Kroil squirted under the Zerk, followed by warming things up with the heat gun does wonder on about 80%.
The remaining 20% seem to either need the pin pulled, or the Zerk chucked into a vice and heated up with a torch, untill they pop out a little terd of crusty grease.

The really ugly, rusty, woefully neglected, and impossible zerks, are thier own thing.
If they are that bad, I learned that it's my pennance to fight the pins, or cuss myself while replacing a bearing, and lamenting my inattention.