greasing the zerks
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New User
Joined: May 2003
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greasing the zerks
Yesterday I was greasing all the zerks on my 1964 F250. When I was using the grease gun on the king pins the bottom zerk was very difficult on both driver and passenter side to fill but the top grease zerks on the king pins would not take any grease at all. The grease gun fitting kept popping off. All the other grease zerk fittings on the truck took grease but the two top grease zerks on the king pins. I need some suggestions as to what I need to do. Thank You. Sincerely Dan Hazen
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
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From: Winchendon MA
greasing the zerks
Dan clean those fittings well with a rag then some brake cleaner. You see a small ball in the middle, take the smallest philps screw driver you have and push in on the ***** if then go in it should take grease if you can't get them to push in just replace them. Most hardwear stores have them in those "MidWest" boxes, right under lawn mower throttle parts, or auto parts store.
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New User
Joined: May 2003
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greasing the zerks
Thank you 44dwarf. I not only cleaned the grease zerks but I even replaced them and even stuck a small pin both into the grease zerks but even took them out and cleaned behind them into the opening and noticed some of the grease did come through the small ball fitting in the zerk but it would not go much further than that. Do you have any more suggestions? Sincerecly Dan Hazen
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,779
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From: Kalispell, MT
greasing the zerks
This is a chronic problem with kingpins. I raise the front wheels just off the ground and have a helper turn the wheel back and forth while I try to pump grease into the zerk. Usually works. I've also resorted to using a solvent in place of grease on rusted/frozen kp's
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Winchendon MA
greasing the zerks
Dan.
It sounds like you KP bushing is realy tight or coroded to the point its greese path is blocked. A hi presure air powerd gun might do it. If not your up the creek,
Don't use the air powerd unit on other things as it can blow out the seals faster then you can see.
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It sounds like you KP bushing is realy tight or coroded to the point its greese path is blocked. A hi presure air powerd gun might do it. If not your up the creek,
Don't use the air powerd unit on other things as it can blow out the seals faster then you can see.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 93
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From: Blaine Minnesota
greasing the zerks
I had a 81 F100 with the same problem.
An alignment shop wanted to replace the king pins.
My father in law took a torch to them and basically cooked the crap out of them.
I worked for me . What do you guys think ? was I just lucky?
An alignment shop wanted to replace the king pins.
My father in law took a torch to them and basically cooked the crap out of them.
I worked for me . What do you guys think ? was I just lucky?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 261
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From: Western NC
greasing the zerks
I don't think you were just lucky. Unfortunately, I wish it were as easy as getting the ball loose on the Zerk's in most situations. Instead, it's what's on the other size of the Zerk that's the problem. I've got the same problem on the greasable spring shackle ends of the rear springs on my F600. I intend to take a propane torch to them this weekend. I'm not keen on getting the area too hot, hence the propane. If that doesn't work, then I might end up doing something a bit more drastic. I believe I've managed to get some new grease in there with two people on the grease gun and I'm hoping that bit of grease plus a bit of run time to work it in a bit plus the torch will result in my upcoming attempt at greasing the two fittings being more successful than was the original attempt. I'd like to think that replacing the king pins in your case would be a completely unnecessary solution. Taking the Zerk out and doing some localized cleaning/poking/solvent addition sounds like a good idea as well.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 129
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greasing the zerks
The torch trick that Cheeseandrice was talking about, we have used at dealerships for years. I have a tool, (made by K-D I think) that is metal pipe, with a special end to fit the greese fitting, and a plunger for the other piece. You pack the pipe with grease, then install the plunger, and hit it with a big hammer. Will drive grease in the fitting most of the time.
