Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

[Florida]

The little ball check valve in the zerk moves freely when I push it with a pick. The grease gun is brand new and the coupler is tight. This is the underside of a lawnmower deck

Any ideas thanks.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

The fitting is plugged below the detent ball, or possibly in the bearing housing. Try putting some heat to the fitting/housing then applying the grease.

 

[rbh]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

The grease is old and hard behind the zerk, remove zerk and carefully remove old grease, then hit the hole up with some wd40 to loosen up what you could not remove, let sit, replace zerk and attempt to grease.

 

[Guest]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

Obviousley either the little ball beering in the end of the zerk is stuck or the drilled channel for the grease to get through to the beering is puiged. The bearing might have moved from its possiton where the whole was thus blocking the flow of fresh grease Try changing the zerk and while it is out put a small piece of wire through the drilled part to see if everything is clear and if not redrill the chanel put in a NEW zerk and try to grease it again it should work. Other then that it might be time for new mower.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

You could remove the zerk(either screw in or press in), and clean out the old, hard grease with a piece of wire, replace zerk, give it a try. Some heat with a torch might loosen it up, and save you having to remove it. Good Luck!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

<EDIT> ^^^ these guys beat me to it. <EDIT>

Can you remove and replace the zerk?

 

[Florida]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

Thanks for the help everyone, If I have to remove it how do I do that. It doesnt have a hex on it so It must be the pressed in type

thanks

 

[JRJ]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

Is your grease gun head adjusted so it mounts the zerk solidly?

 

[ufm82]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

Go get yourself a KDT416 Ram-o-matic tool. It's made by KD Tools and you should be able to get one at a NAPA or other auto parts store. It fits on the zerk fitting and you hit the ram end with a hammer. That will blow out any hardened grease from within the zerk. Quills like that love to clog with rust/dirt from being damp when used. Should cost about $25. Mine has cleared 100's of zerks back in my old fleet maintenance days. Great tool. Saves all the hassle of breaking off screw in zerks and ruining housings trying to get them out.

UFM82

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

If it has no hex, then it's a pressed in zerk. Being on the under side of the deck it probably has taken a hit from a rock, etc and the face is dinged which is why it's leaking. The Ram-o -matic will probably remove the zerk for you. It could be the zerk is plugged also. Either way it needs to come out.
Mike

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

What is a zerk? Up here we use grease nipples.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

What is a zerk? Up here we use grease nipples.

Ohhhh...a grease nipple! Why didn't you say so?

Is it a pressed in grease nipple?...

 

[Pascal]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

What is a zerk? Up here we use grease nipples.

A friend of mine was teaching a powder puff mechanics nite course and covering the topic of greasing a vehicle.

In referring to the ?zerk? he attempted to use the words ?grease nipple?. His tongue got twisted up and instead of the word nipple coming out, he said ?nibble?.

A wize gal in the class piped up - for all to hear - ?I thought that?s what you?re supposed to do TO them not what they are called!! :facepalm:

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

^^^^ Just how long were you waiting for an opening for that one?

 

[Pascal]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

^^^^ Just how long were you waiting for an opening for that one?

That happened almost 20 years ago and it comes to mind when ever 'zerks' are talked about or used........

I'll wager that most every one that reads the story will never look at a grease 'zerk' the same way again.....

Who knows.... the three terms might be accepted by some as interchangable equivilents....

 

[rbh]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

That happened almost 20 years ago and it comes to mind when ever 'zerks' are talked about or used........

I'll wager that most every one that reads the story will never look at a grease 'zerk' the same way again.....

Who knows.... the three terms might be accepted by some as interchangable equivilents....

Is grease nipple just a canadian thing???? I know thats what dad told me they were.

 

[Pascal]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

Is grease nipple just a canadian thing???? I know thats what dad told me they were.

I've known the term 'zerk' for as long as I've been fixin' n learnin' but 'grease nipple is slightyl more common in the community that I work with.... Don't remember my dad telling me bout them...... he was a carpenter...

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

I am guessing this problem did not happen with the old gun?
I will say the zerk fitting is not plugged. On my grease gun, if the fitting is plugged it is nearly impossible to get the gun lever to move.
I bet it is fine, along with the grease behind it.
But if the tip is not on the fitting properly, grease squishes out easily like in your video.
Your grease gun tip might be just a tiny bit larger outer diameter and the pressed steel deck opening is not allowing the gun tip to go on straight.
Is this the only grease fitting you can not get grease into?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Whats wrong with this zerk (video)

There is a Grease Nipple(Zerk) needle that replaces your normal grease gun tip. You stick the needle into the zerk ball and operate your grease gun. It works very well, especially for zerks that are old, plugged up, or difficult to reach with the normal grease gun fitting. I believe I bought mine at NAPA or similar store. The needle is also great for injecting grease underneath grease seals or similar places. It looks like a big hypodermic needle. Good Luck!