Stripped Zerk, what do I do?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: oregon border CA
Stripped Zerk, what do I do?
The grease fitting on my upper A frame is stripped. Can't get grease in.
Someone told me to get a oversized self tapping Zerk fitting at Napa. This is new to me. Any other ideas?? Does Napa have these?????THANKS.......
Someone told me to get a oversized self tapping Zerk fitting at Napa. This is new to me. Any other ideas?? Does Napa have these?????THANKS.......
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
You'll have to ask NAPA, I believe that self tappers come only in standard sizes and it might not tighten in your case. You might need what is called a "drive fit" fitting. It has no threads, just barbs that grab as you tap it in.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,461
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
i assume that to mean the upper a-arm at the ball joint? if that's right, why not just take the occasion to replace the ball joints?
just to clarify, is the zerk stripped or the threads the zerk screws into?
just to clarify, is the zerk stripped or the threads the zerk screws into?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: oregon border CA
Yes. the upper A arm. and yes, the threads in the A arm are stripped the zerk screws into.
The car only has easy 53K actual miles, so I don't think the ball joint needs to be replaced. Just hate to tear it apart.....Thanks
Any ideas????
Happy 4th to everyone.....
The car only has easy 53K actual miles, so I don't think the ball joint needs to be replaced. Just hate to tear it apart.....Thanks
Any ideas????
Happy 4th to everyone.....
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,461
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
as i recall, that is a fairly small zerk. you may be able to drill and tap it for a larger zerk, but you then risk introducing metal shavings into the joint.
even at only 53k miles, i'd consider replacing the joint. i understand if your going for that 'originality' thing, but putting in a larger zerk won't be any more original than replacing the joint.
but if you absolutely insist. i suppose that you could remove most of the grease from around the hole, using various tools. once completely clean, if you really insist, you could use a dab of JB weld on the threads and let that sit for a couple days to fully cure. that should at least hold it tight enough to force grease past the boot.
also, one other thing you can try. take a small ball peen hammer and tap all around the hole for the zerk fitting. that cap is fairly sturdy so it would take alot of banging to really dent it. but if you can just fold over the edges of the hole slightly, it might be enough for your zerk to bite. if so, just screw it until the shoulder is flush and give it a try. you may want to put some blue loctite on it to help it seal in there.
hope one of these helps you.
even at only 53k miles, i'd consider replacing the joint. i understand if your going for that 'originality' thing, but putting in a larger zerk won't be any more original than replacing the joint.
but if you absolutely insist. i suppose that you could remove most of the grease from around the hole, using various tools. once completely clean, if you really insist, you could use a dab of JB weld on the threads and let that sit for a couple days to fully cure. that should at least hold it tight enough to force grease past the boot.
also, one other thing you can try. take a small ball peen hammer and tap all around the hole for the zerk fitting. that cap is fairly sturdy so it would take alot of banging to really dent it. but if you can just fold over the edges of the hole slightly, it might be enough for your zerk to bite. if so, just screw it until the shoulder is flush and give it a try. you may want to put some blue loctite on it to help it seal in there.
hope one of these helps you.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: oregon border CA
Thanks clutchdust, it worked. I took a punch and peened around the hole and the zerk tightened up. Thanks...I was able to grease the ball joint with no problem.
Before all this went to Napa,but could not find any other solution. Did see the barbed zerks, but nothing oversized.
The zerk was 1/4 ". But a 1/8" zerk was twice the diameter of the 1/4".
What is all this about?? How do they size these things?? Made no sense to me....steve
Before all this went to Napa,but could not find any other solution. Did see the barbed zerks, but nothing oversized.
The zerk was 1/4 ". But a 1/8" zerk was twice the diameter of the 1/4".
What is all this about?? How do they size these things?? Made no sense to me....steve
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 402
Likes: 4
From: Nassau
For future reference you can heat the zerk and flow silver solder on the threads then shake off the excess. It should increase the size enough to get the threads to hold just make sure you dont solder up the hole lol
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