Dreamcatcher 102 #1 Posted June 8, 2023 I'm trying to grease both of my tractors and am using the same grease gun I use to grease ball joints and steering linkages on my truck. The fitting on my gun seems just a little fat and won't latch on the zerks for the front wheels. Can any suggest any tricks or methods to accomplish this task? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 11,726 #2 Posted June 8, 2023 If it fits the others it sounds like some new zerks may be in order. 4 or 5 years ago I cleaned all the grease from the front spindles and installed sealed bearings. I was just curious how long they would last but now I'm sold on them. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,528 #3 Posted June 8, 2023 30 minutes ago, Racinbob said: If it fits the others it sounds like some new zerks may be in order. 4 or 5 years ago I cleaned all the grease from the front spindles and installed sealed bearings. I was just curious how long they would last but now I'm sold on them. They lasted 2 years on my mowing tractor. 1 failed. Took the rest apart and packed them. Took a new one apart and there wasn't a lot of grease in there either. So packed that one too 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,969 #4 Posted June 8, 2023 (edited) I agree with Bob that sealed bearings - specially if you have an early tractor with bushings, is the way to go. Much cleaner. Those fittings use a standard 1/4-28 thread and are easy to change. Years ago, I had replaced both U-joints on one of my RWD vehicles. I used the HD style, with the fatter center cross and a grease fitting. I too could not get a grease gun coupler in there. The solution was a short pipe adapter with a zerk fitting on one end and a ground down tapered coupler on the other. Had to rotate the driveshaft to find the fitting, but it worked fine.... Bill Edited June 8, 2023 by ri702bill 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 42,528 #5 Posted June 8, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: I agree with Bob that sealed bearings - specially if you have an early tractor with bushings, is the way to go. Much cleaner. Those fittings use a standard 1/4-28 thread and are easy to change. Years ago, I had replaced both U-joints on one of my RWD vehicles. I used the HD style, with the fatter center cross and a grease fitting. I to could not get a grease gun coupler in there. The solution was a short pipe adapter with a zerk fitting on one end and a ground down tapered coupler on the other. Had to rotate the driveshaft to find the fitting, but it worked fine.... Bill They make a pointy grease gun adapter to get to those u joint zerks. Edited June 8, 2023 by squonk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 5,648 #6 Posted June 8, 2023 I had some one time where there was old paint on top of the zerk. Did not see it at first. I guess look first before you grese. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamcatcher 102 #7 Posted June 8, 2023 1 hour ago, squonk said: They make a pointy grease gun adapter to get to those u joint zerks. AhhhHaaa! I have one of those. I will try it out. Thank you @squonk! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 9,088 #8 Posted June 8, 2023 @Dreamcatcher in additition to the lubrication verifacation , how much wheel play do you have ? is it sloppy , always take the time to add related wheel axel washers , to secure and hold that wheel, more ofen than not that loose wheel shucking , is trearing up bearing and hub mount spot . prefer lubricated bearings , that I can easily , maintain . pete Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamcatcher 102 #9 Posted June 8, 2023 @peter lenaI will check this out and report back 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamcatcher 102 #10 Posted June 8, 2023 On the subject of wheels. Do the 310 and 417 have the same wheel sizes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
