93- How do you use a grease gun? <not the mafia type>
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
93- How do you use a grease gun? <not the mafia type>
I know that this seems stupid, but I have never greased a zerk fitting. My question is I just replaced my ball joints. Since they are new, I know they need grease. I just bought a grease gun, I tried the tip and it fit the fitting...
Now what? How do I know how much grease to put in it? I'm afraid to pump too much in and end up ruining the ball joint.... How do you tell the proper "level"?
Now what? How do I know how much grease to put in it? I'm afraid to pump too much in and end up ruining the ball joint.... How do you tell the proper "level"?
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2002
Location: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
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Hold the end onto the zerk fitting snugly and squeeze the handle twice. Don't worry about overpacking it. The extra grease will ooze out as the ball joint moves around. Wipe off the grease so it doesn't attract dust. You can also get some small red caps for the grease fittings.
#3
Instructor
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I know that this seems stupid, but I have never greased a zerk fitting. My question is I just replaced my ball joints. Since they are new, I know they need grease. I just bought a grease gun, I tried the tip and it fit the fitting...
Now what? How do I know how much grease to put in it? I'm afraid to pump too much in and end up ruining the ball joint.... How do you tell the proper "level"?
Now what? How do I know how much grease to put in it? I'm afraid to pump too much in and end up ruining the ball joint.... How do you tell the proper "level"?
#4
Pro
Thread Starter
Hold the end onto the zerk fitting snugly and squeeze the handle twice. Don't worry about overpacking it. The extra grease will ooze out as the ball joint moves around. Wipe off the grease so it doesn't attract dust. You can also get some small red caps for the grease fittings.
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
I've heard the you can see it ooze on U-joints... Never knew how they did it on ball joints....
#6
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Like I said before, you need to make sure the tip of gun is locked onto fitting and you should be able to feel it snap in place. Some force may be necessary.
#7
Burning Brakes
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You pumped 5 times?
You're fine....
If anything, underfilled. I normally pump until I see or hear grease exiting the joint.
Don't take the zerk out.
Do wipe off any excess....
Now...repeat in 5K miles!
You're fine....
If anything, underfilled. I normally pump until I see or hear grease exiting the joint.
Don't take the zerk out.
Do wipe off any excess....
Now...repeat in 5K miles!
#8
Instructor
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Just keep pumpen until you see grease coming out. I never stop pumping until I get off completely
#9
Pro
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I just didn't want to "overfill" it and have to spend another $50 at the machine shop.
#11
Race Director
If it's overfilled it can drop off onto the inside of the rim and get slung all over on your rotor etc. I squeeze the boot with my hand and pump the gun, feeling for the boot to enlarge. You don't need the boot bulging way out.
#12
Team Owner
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If they are properly lubed than it doesn't take too many pumps. If you're lubing the first time pump more.
Basically the bearings in there require a certain % of air space to work properly. You really can't overfill it, it's not a sealed bearing, the extra grease will come out on its own.
Basically the bearings in there require a certain % of air space to work properly. You really can't overfill it, it's not a sealed bearing, the extra grease will come out on its own.