Rusted Off Grease Zerk

super99 · Jul 2, 2019

The used Land Pride bat wing mower that I bought last year has a couple grease zerks on the wing hinge that are rusted down to just a nub sticking up. When I went to lower the wings to use it, one side didn't want to come down until I let the pressure off of the cylinder and then crawled onto it and pushed , then let pressure off again and push. After about 4 times of this, it finally went down. I need to drill the zerk out and replace it to try to grease it. I know that they make a tap for a blind hole, but can I drill it out with a regular drill bit or do I need a special bit of some kind to drill it out? Will it matter if the drill bit drills into the hinge pin a little bit when I drill it out? I'll try to add a picture from my phone. Thanks, Chris

BobReeves · Jul 2, 2019

Use a left hand drill bit and you might get lucky and they will screw themselves out when you try to drill. Wouldn't worry too much about scratching the pin, just will give it more room for grease.

super99 · Jul 2, 2019

Here?s a picture of the rusted zero, I tried to wipe the trash away for a better look but it is still hard to see.

Chris

Paul from MI · Jul 2, 2019

Most likely a 1/8NPT thread. I'd just use a tap-size drill and drill it clear out. Then tap the hole, blow out as the shavings and dirt as best you can, put in a new zerk and go. for a joint like this that doesn't see constant rotation or close tolerance a few shavings or some dirt won't matter much.

DoubleO7 · Jul 2, 2019

You could also use the driven in, friction fit zerk in a newly drilled hole.
Bypass/abandon the old one completely.

That picture is telling me you might not have enough room for all the zerks required.

Jim.ME · Jul 2, 2019

To use 1/8" NPT tap you need an R or 11/32" drill bit and the hole needs to be over 1/2" deep since a pipe tap is tapered. A 1/4" -28 zerk might be better, as you can get a bottom tap that size so the hole can be smaller diameter and not as deep.

DeltaRed · Jul 2, 2019

Ditto on a left hand drill bit.It might just catch and screw right out. The harder you push,the more it grabs.

Steve@Advance · Jul 2, 2019

If there is any sticking out, try getting it with Vise Grips.

Or try to unscrew it with a sharp chisel.

Or weld a nut to it.

Drilling would be my last resort. If they are 1/4-28, use a #3 drill. A bottom tap will clean the threads. But if it's 1/8 NPT, (R drill) a pipe tap won't go into a blind hole far enough unless you grind the end off the tap, then it probably won't pick up a thread.

You might be able to drill the middle and grind the end off an EZ out. They will probably come out fairly easy if there is any way to turn them.

super99 · Jul 2, 2019

First off, I don't have any left handed drill bits. There doesn't seem to be enough of the zerk left sticking up to get ahold of with a vice grip. It's rusted so bad I doubt that I would have anything left to try to weld a nut to if I got it cleaned up. I went out and checked, I have 1/8-27 zerks. I have a 1/8 pipe tap. I have never tried to use a drive in zerk, but where I have seen them used, I was unimpressed with them. I think these zerks are smaller than what I have, I know I have seen smaller ones, but not sure what size they are. Guess I'll have to try to get one of the usable ones out and make a trip to Fastenal tomorrow. Thanks, Chris

DeltaRed · Jul 2, 2019

Go to your local hardware store and buy a set of lh bits. Well worth the time and money.why fight with incorrect tools?

SVcummins · Jul 2, 2019

About the only use I have for easy outs is pulling out grease zerks drive it the center of the zerk and twist it out

mtf · Jul 2, 2019

That location on a bush hog is difficult to keep clean and will stay rusty if you leave mower outside any length of time. Even if you do get a grease zero in the chances of it taking grease look slim. Just take some used oil and oil the length of the hinge a couple times and it should be good to go.

9001ron · Jul 2, 2019

If it was me --- after drilling and taping and installing a new zerk you will probably find that it wont take any grease as it is rusted up so tight. What I do is mix half used oil and diesel in an old syrup squise bottle and give it a shot every now and then . This is about the only answer --- short of cutting off the old hinge and making a new one .

jeffcat · Jul 2, 2019

I will make it 3X agree. Good set of left hand bits are not that expensive and even if you use them six or seven times they are a wonderful thing to have. When you get the new fitting, have the grease gun ready. Take a flame wrench and heat the area pretty hot. You should see some tiny bit of grease bubble. Stop the heat, screw in the fitting quick as a bunny, stick the gun on and start pumping. If there was any gap left this procedure usually works.

ditchwitch · Jul 2, 2019

They make knock or tap in zerk fittings also just fyi

mjsnodgrass · Jul 2, 2019

i just removed one about the same shape on my mower. before you try drilling it out, find a small torx bit you can pound into the center of it. I think I ended up using a torx 20. the impact from driving it in loosened it up, and it spun right out.

fixerupper · Jul 2, 2019

I go along with Double07. Forget the old zerk and drill a new hole. You might end up drilling a little dimple in the shaft with the tip of the bit but a little dimple won t hurt anything. The bottom of the hole does not need to be full sized, just big enough to get grease through. Look at your zerk supply and drill the hole to fit whatever size zerk you have. It will be simple and easy.

Leroy · Jul 2, 2019

Deive in fittings are 5/16" and hoow has to be slightly smaller but do not know actuall size.

flying belgian · Jul 2, 2019

That is the one place where an easy-out actually works.

wilson ind · Jul 3, 2019

I know of high speed bits. Never hears of lh . Is that for international harvester?

wilson ind · Jul 3, 2019

Ok after reading rest of post you must mean Left Hand. Gosh are you in so much of a hurry you have to use just letters??

danofarming · Jul 3, 2019

I would wager that the hinge is not the problem. The wing drives shafts will twist and hold the wing from going down. Loosen the slip clutch's and make sure they can work properly.

Rusted Off Grease Zerk

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