Zerk Fittings

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Once again, my suspension zerks are fighting with me.  I haven’t yet jacked the trailer, but will do so.  I’m wondering if a bit of warmth (heat gun) would also help grease flow into the shackle pins and Dexter Equalizer.  Thoughts?

Edit: I also bought a few zerks to replace any that are clogged.

Edited March 20 by Wandering Sagebrush

[topgun2]

Once you get those little buggers cleared, working or replaced - you might want to consider "zerk caps" like THESE if you don't already have them.

If the ones that are "plugged" don't respond to the "normal" grease pressure to free them then I'd use a small punch and a light tap with a hammer to get them free.

Of course, I assume that you have already tried the old taking the weight off the wheel, cleaning them, etc.

Bill

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Bill, thanks!  The Zerk caps are waiting to go on, as soon as I finish getting them lubed.   Also may take the wheels off to get some better access.  I’m going at this slowly, as I’m dealing with some arthritic shoulder issues.  

Edited March 20 by Wandering Sagebrush

[Boudicca908]

34 minutes ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:

Also may take the wheels off

Last summer I had some difficulty getting a couple of my zerk fittings to take grease, and THANKS to the forum members for all their great suggestions, it was solved by taking pressure off a tire. But rather than jack the side up, I used the tandem trailer ramp that I had purchased (and never used before). It worked!  Here's what it looks like: https://www.amazon.com/Trailer-Aid-Tandem-Changing-Change-Trailers/dp/B000I4JPZE?th=1

That way I didn't have to actually remove any tires. 

I also use the small caps on the zerks to keep them clean; only once have I found one of the caps missing. They do keep a lot of dirt out. 

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Wandering Sagebrush said:

I’m wondering if a bit of warmth (heat gun) would also help…

Wheel bearing grease is high temp, but a heat gun can burn the grease and will not solve your problem. I would use the stabilizer jacks one side at a time to relieve the pressure.

[2008RN]

That tandem trailer ramp is a pretty cool idea, I like it.

[ScubaRx]

Has anyone here ever actually found a clogged grease zerk? My Dewalt gun will exert 10K psi. The only times I experienced a failure to accept grease situation has been due to improper alignment of the holes in the wet bolt or too much pressure covering the hole from the tire. They should be installed with the exit hole pointing horizontal (parallel) to the ground. Never vertically (perpendicular) to the ground. The only way to determine their orientation is to remove the wet bolt.

Edited March 21 by ScubaRx

[Rivernerd]

I have had clogged zerks on my tractor.  So, I own a Grease Buster:

https://locknlube.com/collections/grease-fitting-rejuvinators/products/grease-buster?variant=32921003327572&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A1349453652%3A115677505125%3A675289548624&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=dsa-19959388920&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs-ab06ybjAMVIS1ECB3ZRAfwEAAYAiAAEgI7pvD_BwE

That said, I would try taking the weight off the zerk first.  Then use a Grease buster, if still necessary.

Edited March 21 by Rivernerd

[jd1923]

12 hours ago, 2008RN said:

That tandem trailer ramp is a pretty cool idea, I like it.

Be careful with using these ramps. The inner shackles on the Oliver leaf springs are know to flip and when I tried the ramp (one I've had for years) it flipped the leaf shackle and the suspension looked cock-eyed when rolled off the ramp. I had to tow the Oliver over a curbed entrance to a service station to get it to flip back. Wait for the LOUD BANG when it flips itself back!

Just use the built-in jacks for this purpose or when changing a flat tire. There is a member here, with more experience than all of us, who says the Oliver can sit on these jacks forever. I prefer to park near level using Anderson levelers and do not like the trailer wheels to be up in the air when camping or parked for any extended period of time, but NP while you are servicing the trailer. However, if you are going to remove both tires, you can use the jacks to lift the trailer then please use jack stands for your safety. I always travel with one jack stand in the truck toolbox!

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, Rivernerd said:

I have had clogged zerks on my tractor.  So, I own a Grease Buster:

Wow, $55 or more! I have more tools than most, except for @ScubaRx of course!

Two issues I see with this tool. First, you're not understanding the underlying cause, i.e. why is the Zerk stuck? Like Steve noted, the wet bolts are likely misaligned.

Second, I would say half of the Zerks in the Oliver and ALL the other vehicles we have, there is no way in the world you have a straight-line shot to the Zerk where you could get this device and a hammer behind it. It just will not fit in too many cases. I did buy the suggested DeWalt power grease gun though, and it has been a blessing to the old body!

[topgun2]

14 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Has anyone here ever actually found a clogged grease zerk?

Yes - I have.

Only once but it did happen.  The little ball at the end of the zerk seemed to be virtually welded in place.  After changing it out I took the offending zerk into the workshop and it took several "pops" with a small punch and hammer to get it loose.  After that I've always used caps on zerks in order to keep "stuff" away from the operating area.

Bill

[Ronbrink]

18 hours ago, jd1923 said:

I always travel with one jack stand in the truck toolbox!

I now carry this instead of the low-profile aluminum floor jack; much safer, easier to handle and takes up less space!