Driving in grease zerks

[montanafordman]

Does anybody have a preferred method or technique for driving in grease zerks? I'm mildly frustrated because apparently I'm unable to swing a hammer straight tonight and some are not going in straight or setting tightly. the driver I'm using seems to be made of something slightly harder than putty and is mushroomed a bit so maybe that's part of the problem - So....

Heavy hammer and only a few well placed blows? (i.e. 2 or 3lb engineers hammer) Lighter hammer and multiple taps to set it? (i.e. a 16oz ball peen) Use an air hammer? Are all zerk drivers created equal?

FWIW I have tried 2 of the three methods above and have not employed the use of an air hammer. Seems like a 16oz ball peen would be the sensible choice. Just seems like I'm having some bad luck getting them in straight and tight. In an ideal world a guy could use a press and press them in, but I'm doing this on the chassis.

Your thoughts?

Cross eyed in Tacoma. (apparently)

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Are you replacing originals with originals,or modern drive in? Mic the size,as they may be a little larger then the old ones.

[John Duden]

i used a 12 point socket and extension, and lightly tapped it in
John

[SeaSlugs]

I had a heck of a time trying to fit modern drive in in the holes, original ones came right out with channel locks and a light twist. I decided to stick with new originals and see how they fit.

one thing should be noted if your using modern drive in style they usually have very slight barbs around them to grip when they are installed. perhaps those barbs cause the fit to be too tight and needed sanded off?

[montanafordman]

It had modern drive in, and I'm replacing with original style.

[Mike V. Florida]

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The vendors sell a grease fitting tool. That tool, a little angle files on the edge and light taps worked for me.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I think my tool for installing the zerks came from A&L and it worked fine.

Like John, in a pinch I have used a small socket.

[Jim M]

Same here. I got mine from Brattons an it worked like a charm. I think the right tool is the answer.

[wrndln]

The tool people are referring to and I have had one for years and it works like a champ, is PN 36810 in Bratton's catalog - it is cheap to at $2.75. I don't have the other vendors catalogs handy right now, but I am sure they carry the same neat tool.
Rusty Nelson

[Mitch//pa]

I also use the tool for 2.75 listed by the others...
I purchased many of the various tools listed by the suppliers even if I am not in need of them yet I feel they are all a good value $$ wise.
If you ever bought off the snapon truck you know what I mean
.

[mshmodela]

I've used the tool, well worth the price...