Grease Zerk Removal

['31 Patina]

I'm in the porcess of replacing the original grease fittings with modern fittings on my '31 coupe. Before I start I was hoping to get some suggestions on how to remove the old press in type fittings.

Thanks.

[1931 flamingo]

Pliers? Vise grips?
Paul in CT

[J Franklin]

There is a grease gun adaptor from the suppliers that you can use to grease the original fittings. It is much easier than changing out all your fittings.

[Thom IV]

I changed mine on the last two 'A's that I've had. Always have been glad that I did.
Makes it easier for the service station to grease it.

[LukeDahlinger]

I use a brass drift pin with a hammer. A couple of light taps is all it takes. At least with new fittings you know there's not a big glob of dried grease blocking the hole!

[Tom Wesenberg]

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Originally Posted by J Franklin

There is a grease gun adaptor from the suppliers that you can use to grease the original fittings. It is much easier than changing out all your fittings.

I agree. I use the original grease gun and find it works great with no grease oozing out the side, like some modern fittings often do.

[spinelll]

Originally Posted by Thom IV

I changed mine on the last two 'A's that I've had. Always have been glad that I did.
Makes it easier for the service station to grease it.

And then you tap the hole?

[fritznbud]

I just finished taking out the fittings on my A that were half original type and half modern type. And the older type ones were threaded. They have the nipple looking tip but unscrewed. I didn't expect that but sure was happy. And they all came out like they were installed yesterday, what a thrill! Maybe at some point in time, they sold threaded ones??

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

There is a grease gun adaptor from the suppliers that you can use to grease the original fittings. It is much easier than changing out all your fittings.

It is easier and quicker but if you must, I hit it with a chisel to lossen and then pull it out with pliers.

[Chris Haynes]

I replaced every grease fitting on my AA to modern Zerk fittings. Some were threaded and others were pressed in. Vise grips removed them all. I bought new screw in and press in fittings to replace them. Jiffy lube can now service my truck.

[J Franklin]

And you would trust Iffy Lube?

[Kurt in NJ]

I like the original fittings, I use an era grease gun like this--

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-...item19c3d7e9f0

very quick and easy to use,only need 1 hand to use, keep it wrapped in newspaper under the seat, the original gun I have filled with waterpump grease ---2 strokes for the rear WP fitting, just enough, keeps my pump "leakless"

Iffy lube has good insurance ---and they use it.

[fritznbud]

I've gone through several grease guns and surprisingly found Wal-mart to carry Pewes brand guns. A very good quality grease gun. I still cant get over how nice my fittings came out...i wouldn't try that on any year model conventional vehicle. Brake bleeders scare the crap out of me every time i have to turn one.

[Paul from Maine]

Originally Posted by '31 Patina

I'm in the porcess of replacing the original grease fittings with modern fittings on my '31 coupe. Before I start I was hoping to get some suggestions on how to remove the old press in type fittings.

Thanks.

I replaced all mine and was lucky I did! The car had sat for 50+ years and all had solid chunks of dried, dirty grease in them. These chunks can get into the grease passages and completely obstruct them. Even though the old fitting might allow grease to flow through, many fittings have two channels in the bushing leading away from the fitting to distribute the grease. That chunk of dried grease that formed in the old fitting will be pushed into one of the channels and obstruct it and you will never know it. Then only half of the bushing is greased. Remove them and put in modern style or remove them, clean them and then reinstall them.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

And you would trust Iffy Lube?

It is a simple thing to hand them a lube chart with illustrations showing the location of all the Zerk fittings.

['31 Patina]

I'm having a great deal of trouble trying to get the original fittings out. I'm using a vise grips on the press in fittings but that's not working. I get the vise grips on the fitting and try to wiggle it back in forth but all that happens is the vise grip either slips right off or it smashes the fitting causing some of the fitting to fall apart. It's like the metal that the fitting is made out of is too soft and I'm just chewing it up making a bigger mess for myself.

Any other suggestions?

[LukeDahlinger]

You need to use a chisel or drift pin to get the press in fittings out. A couple light taps with the hammer should have them out pretty easily.

['31 Patina]

Originally Posted by LukeDahlinger

You need to use a chisel or drift pin to get the press in fittings out. A couple light taps with the hammer should have them out pretty easily.

So by using a chisel I just hit the base of the fitting and it should pop out?

['31 Patina]

Alright I just got two of them out using a chisel. Thanks!

[Fred K-OR]

Good luck in changing them. I changed mine to all new type and found that to work fine. But I will never take another car to Jiffy Lub!