Grease gun and Elephant bushings

rickdm · 09-03-2005, 08:34 PM

I had some Elephant Poly bronze bushings installed on my rear spring plate bearing. After six months I decided it was probably time to add some grease, so I went out and bought a nice grease gun at an auto parts store. When I try to put the nozzle onto the zerk fitting it seems to snap right on, but then grease oozes out around the nipple when I try to inject grease. Do I need a special gun, or is there something I am missing?

Thanks,
rickdm

Zeke · 09-03-2005, 08:39 PM

That's generally what happens if you aren't exactly in line with the fitting. If that's not possible due to the way they were installed, remove the fitting and replace with an angled one. The grease WILL go into the bushing if you get the gun square to the zerk.

rickdm · 09-04-2005, 11:51 AM

I think I got it pretty squared up with the fitting, so I am hoping some grease got in there, but it sure seemed to ooze out a lot.

Thanks,
Rick

jason2guy · 09-04-2005, 12:49 PM

that MAY indicate that its full of grease already.
i dont think they take that much grease to begin with

Chuck Moreland · 09-04-2005, 02:04 PM

Jason

Is it coming out between the gun and nipple, or out from the bushing?

If the gun/nipple do as per above a be sure the gun is properly snapped on to the nipple. If from the bushing, this is normal. As soon as the grease grooves fill, the excess wil squeeze out. Doesn't take much.

rickdm · 09-04-2005, 02:13 PM

Chuck, it is coming out from between the gun and the nipple. I can get it to snap on, but it still pivots around and I have not been able to get it to go on any further. I will try with some vise grips to see if I can get the nozzle to go on a bit further.

rickdm

johnsjmc · 09-04-2005, 02:17 PM

Forget the vice grips just hold the gun pushed by hand against the zerk . If grease won,t go in then I would change the zerk fitting as it may be clogged or defective. They are standard parts at any part store and quite inexpensive.

Chuck Moreland · 09-04-2005, 02:40 PM

If this is happening on all the zerks, then it's not the zerks. Try a new gun tip. You can buy the tips seperately.

island911 · 09-04-2005, 03:34 PM

Sounds like the wrong size fitting on the gun. (?)

rickdm · 09-04-2005, 05:03 PM

OK, here is my next stupid question 'they come in sizes?'. I was under the impression that grease fittings were a universal one size fits all. Is the zerk fitting on the bushing a particularly small one?

rickdm

Chuck Moreland · 09-04-2005, 05:34 PM

AFAIK, the normal "nipple" style comes in one size only.

There are other styles of grease fittings, but they look entirely different. You could not confuse them with a standard zerk fitting/gun.

island911 · 09-04-2005, 06:25 PM

It's been a long time since I've used a grease gun, but I do recall using one up with some funky (non-standard) coupler. (didn't work so well - grease ozing like you describe)

a grease gun from an auto parts store ought to be just right. (unless it's from discount China) . .when it snaps-on it should only swivel . . . no rattle/side to side.

It could be you're feeding it too fast, too.

Chas White · 09-04-2005, 07:32 PM

It's a lot easier if you have a flexible line on the gun. Ones with solid tubing are really hard to get lined up right, especially if there are space issues.

84toy · 09-04-2005, 07:52 PM

I have a couple that ooze around the nipple too but it still pumps in to the bearing at the same time. If grease comes out from around the edges of the bearing, you know its getting in there even if it does not seal well around the nipple. Big rag handy.....

billyboy · 09-04-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

AFAIK, the normal "nipple" style comes in one size only.

no comment necessary! yea, I know I'm adolescent.