50% of my grease fittings are clogged...

[buyitsmart]

Out of the 31 grease fittings on my 31 Dlx Coupe about half of them will accept grease. 16 of the fittings are pressed into a 5/16" hole. The rest have a 1/8" pipe thread. I think I can remove the pipe thread style and either unclog them or replace them, but how do I deal with the pressed in style fittings?

[Reds34]

You can get a tool that is supposed to unclog grease fittings, but I don't know if it would work on the original style fittings.

Red

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, many auto stores might have the special grease tool that you can use a hammer on to apply more pressure. You can also try heat on the fitting. This will often soften the old hard grease. Also try moving the part as grease is applied, or at least have the weight off the part, such as jacking the front end off the ground while greasing the king pins.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

You can also try heat on the fitting. This will often soften the old hard grease. Also try moving the part as grease is applied, or at least have the weight off the part, such as jacking the front end off the ground while greasing the king pins.

I used the heat and move method with my car and it worked great!!! Still able to grease the car years later.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

I use heat and move too. If it fails, remove the fitting with a small chisel placed at the base and tap it out. But in many cases, the hard grease is in the joint as well as the fitting, and heat is still needed. Odds are you will need to replace the fitting if you chisel it out, if looks are important. Besides dirt, grease hardens when incompatible greases are used. see link:

http://www.finalube.com/reference_ma...lity_chart.htm

[TinCup]

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Originally Posted by buyitsmart

Out of the 31 grease fittings on my 31 Dlx Coupe about half of them will accept grease. 16 of the fittings are pressed into a 5/16" hole. The rest have a 1/8" pipe thread. I think I can remove the pipe thread style and either unclog them or replace them, but how do I deal with the pressed in style fittings?

Over the years I have had to replace 8 or 9 fittings for the very same reason.

I am getting ready to order a interior kit for my car. Since you have the same paint scheme as I do I was wondering what kind of interior you have in yours. Any pictures?

[buyitsmart]

I have an old LeBaron Bonney interior.

[buyitsmart]

Pat. Thanks. That is a good chart of grease compatibility.
I will definitely try the "move and heat" method.

When you say heat, you mean to just heat it up with a propane type torch, right?
Does grease catch on fire?

If you chisel an old fitting out, can you just tap a new one back in?
Would the new one be of the same size?

[TinCup]

Originally Posted by buyitsmart

I have an old LeBaron Bonney interior.

Looks great. Seems we both have the roll down window. Was it added later? Great looking interior.

I used a small propane torch I bought. Much easier than the bulky plumber units.

[buyitsmart]

Love my roll down rear window. I understand it was a factory option, but mine was added at the factory, not later. I have a small propane torch I am going to use. Thx.

[Fred K-OR]

"If you chisel an old fitting out, can you just tap a new one back in?
Would the new one be of the same size?"

Most vendors sell either the old type or new type fittings. You can also buy a tool that is used to tap them in again. As far as I know they are all the same size.

On both my rigs being they are just drivers, I converted all fittings to the new type which I find easer to grease.

[pat in Santa Cruz]

yes, grease can catch fire. Snuff it with a thick rag, not water which will spread it. Often just removing the heat will stop a fire if its just starting. It usually does not have to be that hot to get the grease moving. You can probably re- use the old fittings as most come out easily but with a small ding where the chisel was. The installation tool sold for installing them is well worth the cost. If you are handy, you could probably make one out of hard wood or if you have a lathe, steel.

[Fred K-OR]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

yes, grease can catch fire. Snuff it with a thick rag, not water which will spread it. Often just removing the heat will stop a fire if its just starting. It usually does not have to be that hot to get the grease moving. You can probably re- use the old fittings as most come out easily but with a small ding where the chisel was. The installation tool sold for installing them is well worth the cost. If you are handy, you could probably make one out of hard wood or if you have a lathe, steel.

Before I found the tool, I used a 1/4 socket to drive them in---but now I do not have a 1/4 socket that is useable as a socket---not a good choice---best to get the tool.

BTW the fittings are not that expensive. So I found that replaceing them worked best.

[Chris Haynes]

I grab the old pressed in fitting with vise grips and pull them out. If they broke a small chisel will cut the rest in half so you can pull them out with needle nose pliers. Modern Zerk fittings age a must for a driver.

[buyitsmart]

I'm looking for convenience on the grease maintenance so I think I will replace the bad ones with the new style fitting. Thanks for the input. I will have to get me one of those 'tools', too.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by buyitsmart

I'm looking for convenience on the grease maintenance so I think I will replace the bad ones with the new style fitting. Thanks for the input. I will have to get me one of those 'tools', too.

Don't forget the grease fitting on the throwout bearing collar.

As far as convenience, I use the grease gun that came with the original tool kit and find it very convenient, and it seals as well or better than some of the modern fittings on my lawn tractor.

[Tom F OHIO]

Originally Posted by pat in Santa Cruz

yes, grease can catch fire. Snuff it with a thick rag, not water which will spread it. Often just removing the heat will stop a fire if its just starting. It usually does not have to be that hot to get the grease moving. You can probably re- use the old fittings as most come out easily but with a small ding where the chisel was. The installation tool sold for installing them is well worth the cost. If you are handy, you could probably make one out of hard wood or if you have a lathe, steel.

You might want to try a heat gun. The new ones have two or three settings and they get pretty hot. Might be safer than a torch, especially if there is any gasoline anywhere.

Tom....

[buyitsmart]

Tom, you've got a point.