How to use a grease gun...??

[mattg]

Hello
well...this is a bit of a embarrassing question but:
Im trying to grease the kingpins on my truck. It has nipples at the bottom of the king pins, and I stick the grease gun on, squeeze the lever and....the grease doesnt seem to go in anywhere, just squeezes out all over the place.

What am I doing wrong?
Are there different sizes of nipple, do i need to get a different end bit for the gun? Is there a chance that the nipple is knackered?

To be honest, I can't imagine the grease from the gun is going to be able to force its way into the king ping anyway- do I need some kind of high pressure greasing gizmo?

All advice welcome!
Matt

 

[classic2cv]

what make of car is it

 

[mattg]

mk3 transit

 

[Hitch]

The fitting should just push on to the nipple.

If grease is coming out, its possible the grease in the joint already may be hardened, and the nipple blocked. You can get a tool for cleaning them out.

In the past if i've had problems, i unscreswed the connector on the gun, and removed the nipple, and screwed the gun hose straight on.

 

[mattg]

Thanks hitch, Ill have a shot taking the nipple off completely. Any ideas of a name for the tool you are referring to, just in case that doesnt work (pretty corroded down there...)?
Cheers
matt

 

[piman]

Hello Matt,

also make sure you are square to the nipple otherwise it does just as you say.

However I think the drillings could be blocked anywy. Try swinging the steering one way or another

Alec

 

[mattg]

Ahh. So thats how it works- there are little channels (is that what you mean by drillings?) for the grease to get into, up the sides of the 'pin'? That makes more sense. I thought I was trying to force grease into the tiny gap between the moving parts...

 

[Pete.]

Try jacking the front of the vehicle off the road to relieve weight on the joints.

 

[Howburn]

Here is a link to a grease nipple tool, I have never used one although I have meant to get one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KD-Blocked-Lu...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2c547fe97f

There are lots of other ones available as well.

One of the biggest problems I find is the socket on the end of grease gun's are often poor quality and grease squeezes past the nipple, so it may be worth getting a new end for your gun.

 

[Wedg1e]

Ahh. So thats how it works- there are little channels (is that what you mean by drillings?) for the grease to get into, up the sides of the 'pin'? That makes more sense. I thought I was trying to force grease into the tiny gap between the moving parts...

The nipple has a spring-loaded ball in the centre that prevents the grease from being forced out by the movement of the joint; the pressure of the grease-gun lifts the ball and allows fresh grease into the joint, up drilled channels inside the parts.

Many years ago a mate of mine put his finger over the end of an air-powered grease gun. A year later he was still squeezing grease out of his finger...

 

[eddie49]

In the USA, a grease nipple is known as a Zerk. The impact-driven hydraulic tools to clear a path for the grease, as linked by Howburn above, are generically known as Zerk Zappers.

 

[mattg]

Ok thanks guys. Ill have another go at it tonight, and maybe invest in a new end for the grease gun.
Cheers
matt

 

[CTB]

Looking at the price of that special cleaning tool I would find it more cost effective to just replace the old grease fitting

 

[Howburn]

Your right, I always think they look pricey, and I mostly use a little hand held centre punch for the job and it works OK. But I may try one of the proper tools as if you are out doing repairs for others etc, it takes up less space than an assortment box of nipples.

We can discuss the pleasure of assorted nipples another day.

 

[Flathead_Dave]

Get one of these,scroll down to #36690.
The jaws lock on to the nipple.
#36590 has a turned down body for Land Rovers etc.

http://www.stephenslube.co.uk/wanner_lubrication.asp

To clear a nipple,unscrew it,put a bit of steel in vise,drill a clearance hole for nipple thread,and pump till it clears.

 

[Dusty]

To clear a nipple,unscrew it,put a bit of steel in vise,drill a clearance hole for nipple thread,and pump till it clears.

Then spend thre rest of the day wiping up the kack sprayed all over the bench!
A well placed cloth before you start helps! BTDT! dusty

 

[Flathead_Dave]

then spend thre rest of the day wiping up the kack sprayed all over the bench!
A well placed cloth before you start helps! Btdt! Dusty

Btdt ?

 

[pedrobedro]

bin there dun that. I haven't but dusty has.

 

[MaxRPM]

I bought a compressed air opperated grease gun off the bay for about £25, it's brilliant and gets grease through any supposedly blocked nipple.

 

[Howburn]

I risk going slightly off topic and hijacking the thread, but has anyone much experience of the large bucket type air operated grease dispensers, I think they take a 25 or 40 lt bucket of grease.
I hire out a bit of plant and like to have machines well greased before they go out.
Best price I have found is £230.
Cheers