Zerk/grease gun 101

[dragoneggs]

Okay I start this thread mostly for the newbies like me that are maintaining their BX's. Breaking off my first Zerk fitting provided the impetus. Today I replaced the Zerk after drilling out the remainder stepping from a 1/8in, 5/32in, then 3/16in drills first and then using an easy out to remove. The other repair/mod was to swap out the straight barrel on my gun and replace with a 12" whip hose. Two reasons for this... first I figured it would reduce the risk of breaking off other Zerks due to tight jaws and prying too hard... but better yet, I can now access all of my Zerks on the FEL. I couldn't do it before unless I first positioned the bucket just right. Here are pics of the gun mod and the easy out for reference. The Zerk fittings are 1/4-28 threads. Hope this helps out someone!

 

[Wagtail]

Mate, did you know that the 'tight jaws' of the tip are adjustable? Some/most of them were originally put on (to paraphrase another TBN Member) by a factory trained 800lb. gorilla; but they can be loosened. It's why there's a wee bit of knurling at the tip.

 

[dragoneggs]

Mate, did you know that the 'tight jaws' of the tip are adjustable? Some/most of them were originally put on (to paraphrase another TBN Member) by a factory trained 800lb. gorilla; but they can be loosened. It's why there's a wee bit of knurling at the tip.

Okay Wagtail! Exactly why I posted this thread. Yes I heard that you could 'unscrew' it to loosen it or also put a screwdriver in it. I tried both with no success today. Then I read your post and tried again to break it free! Waa laa!!! It did unscrew and problem solved. The guys at Kubota didn't know, the guys at Napa didn't know. Thank you for telling me again!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I hate the pump grease guns. Have 2 air operated ones which have the flexable hose. Bought last one from Harbour Freight but haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Ken45101]

Good thread.

Also, after breaking a zerk, replacements vary in diameter and thread pitch (and metric/SAE). Best to buy a set with all sizes until you figure out what you actually need. I've heard that some machines use both metric and SAE, so much for consistency

 

[Wagtail]

Thank you for telling me again!

No worries, Mate. The first time I 'adjusted' a grease-gun tip it took two pairs of vicegrips to manage it, then, as you said, "Waa laa!!!"

Of course, then I couldn't help myself and unscrewed it all the way to see how it worked... SPRIONG! It took me 10 minutes to find where the wee internal spring went. :laughing:

 

[Ace3]

I hate the pump grease guns. Have 2 air operated ones which have the flexable hose. Bought last one from Harbour Freight but haven't tried it out yet.

I picked an air operated one up from Tractor Supply for $20. It works great!

 

[mmorisoli]

By the way Lucas Oil has a nice pistol grip grease gun with a flexible tip. The thing I like is the light weight. It is made from aluminum and is just enough lighter that I can use it with one hand freeing up my other hand to connect and disconnect. Makes for a faster job.

Also, people do know the importance of whipping off each fitting before you start greasing right? You do not want to inject a bunch of dirt along with fresh grease.

 

[k0ua]

No worries, Mate. The first time I 'adjusted' a grease-gun tip it took two pairs of vicegrips to manage it, then, as you said, "Waa laa!!!"

Of course, then I couldn't help myself and unscrewed it all the way to see how it worked... SPRIONG! It took me 10 minutes to find where the wee internal spring went. :laughing:

Aint that fun..hunting around on the floor for a little greasy spring.

 

[dragoneggs]

No worries, Mate. The first time I 'adjusted' a grease-gun tip it took two pairs of vicegrips to manage it, then, as you said, "Waa laa!!!"

Of course, then I couldn't help myself and unscrewed it all the way to see how it worked... SPRIONG! It took me 10 minutes to find where the wee internal spring went. :laughing:

Ahh ha... I resisted that temptation. I was unscrewing and testing the jaw fit until it was too loose and then realized, let's NOT unscrew it further and take it apart so it will work for me next time! :thumbsup: