Zirk fittings on a JD mower...help!

[KFC911]

Trying to grease the spindles on my dad's JD garden tractor for the first time...not having much success . I have tried three different grease coupler/fittings (a LockNLube, a regular type, and one that slides on the zirk sideways)...don't think I've gotten a bit of grease inside the spindle. Grease squirts out the fitting immediately...no matter what, and I held the regular type on VERY snugly with hand pressure....all three spindles were like this. I have evidently pissed off the JD zirk gods.

Any suggestions, mojo, or juju would be most apporeciated...

I WAS holding my mouth "just right"... so don't suggest that....right eyebrow mebbe

Thoght about getting a 90 degree fitting, but I don't think it would fit on any better than a regular one....I had that sucker on pretty snug.

[fastfredracing]

I would just replace them. They are somewhat universal, any parts store, or tractor supply should have replacement zerks

[VincentVega]

Yep, replace. I've found a few seized/locked up. Quicker to replace.

[KFC911]

Thanks guys!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Tune in for tomorrow's action packed thread... "Help, I sheared off the zerks fittings on my lawnmower. Fittings broken flush with the spindle assembly. Grass growing uncontrollably. Please help!"

Editor's note: I just did this about a month ago on one of my dad's tractor's...Well..Actually, he did it, but I discovered it, and had to disassemble the entire spindle to manually glop in some grease.

[KFC911]

LOL....my plan B is Roundup...but now I'm askeered. At least I'll speel zirk right in my next thread....stay tuned!

[wdfifteen]

Take the fitting off and see if you can pump grease through it. You probably can. The problem is most likely old hardened/dirt infused grease in the spindles. You may need to take them apart and clean them out.

[KFC911]

Thanks Patrick! I'm bettin' you guys ain't heard the last from me though....but it sure won't be tomorrow

[pete3799]

Heat will sometimes soften the hardened grease and get things flowing again.

[SoCal911T]

Maybe it's time to upgrade to a newer model mower...

[manbridge 74]

Man do I remember the days of lubing our JD road grader. Bet it had 70 grease zerks. I would sometimes use an air powered gun to help. We also had a cylinder device you filled with ATF or kroil and put over the zerk hitting the plunger with a large hammer to quickly force it clear. It would sometimes help to re-position the joint and try again.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

We also had a cylinder device you filled with ATF or kroil and put over the zerk hitting the plunger with a large hammer to quickly force it clear. It would sometimes help to re-position the joint and try again.

Ive still got one of those somewhere.

[KFC911]

I suspect I might be getting into a project soon...and I just wanted to squirt a bit of grease . The mower is at my dad's house, my garage (tools) ain't, and his tools....well...let's just say I'm basically unarmed there. Gonna be a beotch to even get the zerks out....mebbe I'll remove the mower deck and bring it to my place...in December....'cause I know how it goes when I tackle something like this . Thanks all!

[wdfifteen]

^^
By December the spindle bearings may be packed with dried grease and ground up steel.

[KFC911]

^^^ For some reason, and knowing my "luck".... I have no doubt, but dad won't need it until March. I'm not looking forward to this...with all three spindles...I just don't like my odds . I have little experience compared to you guys, but have really learned to appreciate the spindles on my z-turn Skag...no zerks...yippee!