grease gun question
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Junior User
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grease gun question
How do you determine how much grease to pump? I've heard "just two pumps" and "until the old grease squeezes out and new grease starts to come out." But I was also told that using the latter method could blow out a seal or something. Right now I've got two projects, the steering system and my boat trailer -- does it depend on the project?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Albuquerque
I would not worry too much about the grease fittings IMO. I usually give them enough pumps that I just start to see the grease back flow out.I am sure the SAE Mechs have a dedicated way of doing it. I would agree with you that it is job dependant. If you are greasing your steering system on your boat, it most likely only needs a couple of solid pumps. If you are doing the ball joints and drive shafts, I go alittle bigger than that.
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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From: ST JOHNS, MI
If your just talking about the joints on your truck just a few shots is all it needs. You only need to get enough in there to lube the wear point. Whether it's a ball joint, tie rod end, or u-joint.
On my farm equipment it really depends on what is being greased. On my disk I have roller bearings much like a wheel bearing on a car. I need to put more than a few pumps in to fully lube it but not so much to push the seals out. 3- 10 pumps. On shafts with just a brass bushing for a bearing I grease till it comes out, no seals to worry about.
On my farm equipment it really depends on what is being greased. On my disk I have roller bearings much like a wheel bearing on a car. I need to put more than a few pumps in to fully lube it but not so much to push the seals out. 3- 10 pumps. On shafts with just a brass bushing for a bearing I grease till it comes out, no seals to worry about.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
couple pumps is a good rule. on the boat trailer I am guessing your talking the wheel bearings. Then it depends, does it have brakes, does it have a relief hole for the excess grease. if it has brakes and no relief hole 2 pumps will be all you want in there. if it has a relief hole or no brakes you can give it more for good measure. U-joints or fully sealed boots on tie rods or ball joints just a little grease. if the tie rods or ball joints just have an umbrella type seal then I pump until a little grease comes out unless some water comes out as well then I pump a bunch more in. Also depends on how tired my hand is getting. greasing equipment or class 8 trucks my hand starts to cramp up! Then battery powered grease gun look really nice!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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Not likely to blow seals with a hand grease gun. You should grease till you feel comfortable that it is fully lubed and any water or wear material has been forced out. If item is totally sealed with a rubber boot that keeps expanding, stop before it splits open.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Johnson City, TN.
I busted my tie rod end by pumping till I se it come out. The old rubber swelled up and bursted when i walked away. Glad I wasn't under there it shot a good 10 feet. Now I have to regrease it every 2 weeks or so.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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Then battery powered grease gun look really nice!!<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
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Post Fiend
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
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From: FL
If were talking boat trailers, any you got bearing buddies like I got, I just fill um till the spring is completely compresses. That way as you drive, the grease get pushed into the wheel bearing and the water out.
If were talking the steering system on an outboard motor, be wicked careful how you have the steering shaft orientated when pumping in grease. If you have it the wrong way, you can hydro-lock the shaft with grease and then have to take the whole thing apart to get the grease out!
Well that had absolutely nothing to do with PSD's, sorry haven't talked boats lol
-Robb
If were talking the steering system on an outboard motor, be wicked careful how you have the steering shaft orientated when pumping in grease. If you have it the wrong way, you can hydro-lock the shaft with grease and then have to take the whole thing apart to get the grease out!
Well that had absolutely nothing to do with PSD's, sorry haven't talked boats lol
-Robb
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
I hate it when I do that to myself!!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,608
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From: Belair md
dont know about boats but the general rule of thumb for steering components is pump until the boot just starts to swell, if grease is coming out then you pumped too much.
some guys like to pump, and pump, and pump, and pump. they like to see half the tube of grease on the frame, they feel thats a "good flushin'..." lol, not needed though. u-joints you want to pump slowly until you start to hear the grease/air start to spritz out of them, then thats plenty.
some guys like to pump, and pump, and pump, and pump. they like to see half the tube of grease on the frame, they feel thats a "good flushin'..." lol, not needed though. u-joints you want to pump slowly until you start to hear the grease/air start to spritz out of them, then thats plenty.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,608
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From: Belair md
hard to say how long they will last, to each its own i guess. as for replacements i go with the best price/warrenty. i got mine from advance auto(cant remember the price) but they were cheap, have grease fittings, and have a lifetime warrenty
