For those who have some experience working in professional workshops or garages, a grease gun is no new technology. It is a simple workshop tool that is used to lubricate mechanical devices and parts of machines. The grease gun is used to expertly grease and lubricate specific points using an aperture.
For this, you will require a component known as a grease cartridge that is used to attach to a grease fitting. This part is also known as a grease nipple due to its shape. There are specific channels behind the grease nipple.
Follow this and it lets users know where they need to lubricate. Today, we will figure out how to attach a grease gun to zerk fitting! However, before we get to this, let’s clear out some of the basics involved!
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Now we know what one element in this process is called, let’s look at what a zerk fitting is!
What is a Zerk fitting?
A Zerk fitting is a small yet permanent joint located in any mechanical system or bearings. These are meant to lubricate the machine or its parts. You will also find them called grease fittings for this reason. The easiest way to distinguish them from any other fitting is their unique nipple-like shape.
Interestingly, that’s where they get the name of grease nipple. To work with these tiny fittings, you need to understand that inside, there is a ball. This ball is what allows zerk fittings to allow lubricants and grease to pass through. However, you can rest assured that you won’t have to deal with any harmful materials passing through.
Here’s what you need to know about zerk fittings:
We’ve already learned what a zerk fitting is exactly. Now, it’s time to move on to learn more about these fittings! The Zerk fitting is meant to work with the grease gun coupler. We know that it feeds lubricants through a grease gun but the important aspect to remember is pressure!
Your zerk fitting can allow the lube to pass through with either a medium or high-pressure level. The interesting thing about zerk fittings is that they come in so many different types!
Related: How to Load a Grease Gun
Here are a few of the most commonly used zerk fitting:
- AS Grease Fittings
- 1/8” PTF Grease Fittings
- Metric Grease Fittings
- Drive Type Grease Fittings
- Air Vent Grease Fittings
- Pin Type Grease Fittings
- Leak-proof Grease Fittings
- Pin Type Grease Fittings
Now that we have this out of the way, let’s get to the actual process and figure out how to attach grease gun to zerk fitting!
How to Attach Grease Gun to Zerk Fitting
- In case your grease gun needs to be assembled first, you will do this before you start with the zerk fitting! After this, we recommend that you grab the grease gun coupler and get done with the hose pipe setting. It allows users to reach any long or tight angle that would otherwise be out of reach.
- For your next step, you will turn back to the grease gun coupler and locate the four-jaw construction control. Using this feature, you can adjust the position with ease. Proceed to manually adjust the position with the 4-jaw.
- The next step is to screw the 4-jaw construction up and after this, the jaw construction will close up tightly. When it feels tight that means that the point you are working on and the coupler is tightened up.
- Now, this is when the zerk fitting comes into play! We already know that it allows lubricant and grease to pass through via its tiny hole. Your job is to locate the zerk fitting.
- Once the zerk fitting has been placed inside the coupler, you need to ensure that both the grease gun and the grease gun coupler are compatible with each other.
- Next, you will grab the gun’s shoulder with considerable force and a tight grip. After this, push the coupler within the zerk fitting. You need to cram it down until the zerk bearing and the shoulder fit together. Finally, you can tighten this using the coupler’s setting.
- Next, you need to figure out if you can start with the grease job. To find this out, you will make sure the coupler is shoved down with the zerk fitting. Then, slowly feel the connection you just made and if it is tight, you can begin!
- You will need to make sure that the grease gun is tightly screwed using the zerk fitting so that it doesn’t come loose as you pour lubricant down it. You need to take care of this step before the grease is poured.
- The last step is to push the grease gun and allow the lubricants to flow through it and that’s it! You have successfully attached a grease gun to a zerk fitting.
Is it easy to remove a zerk fitting from the grease gun?
We’ve learned quite a bit on how to attach grease guns to zerk fitting, now let’s figure out how to remove them! Yes, removing a zerk fitting from your grease gun is essentially pretty easy! All you have to do is to retrace your steps back and undo everything you did when you attached it. It implies that you need to unscrew the coupler and then simply pull the zerk fitting up from the grease gun’s coupler!
What to do when your grease gun gets stuck on the zerk fitting?
You will notice that oftentimes, your grease gun can get stuck on the fitting. You don’t need to worry since it is quite common. It occurs because your joints and jaw construction are getting clogged up.
The issue cannot truly be fixed unless you attempt to clean it as this is the only method to prevent the clog that is causing this.
If your grease gun gets stuck on the zerk fitting, all you need to do is simply unscrew the fitting from the hose and this should fix the issue. However, it will require you to add more pressure than was required when you were attaching it.
Final tips on how to attach grease gun to zerk fitting
By now you are already familiar with the main steps you need to attach a grease gun to zerk fittings using the steps we outlined. To add some depth to your understanding of this procedure, we also have this extended list of tips that you can utilize to better perform this fitting process.
- The first idea is to always go through with all safety protocols and don safety equipment when handling a grease gun! The ideal location to execute this will always be either in a workshop or a garage. Do not miss out on any safety features either!
- One common mistake that people make is to lubricate their zerk fitting way too much. We assure you that this will only lead to your device getting damaged! Over-lubrication and the use of excessive grease can lead to contamination and damage to the parts of your grease gun.
- Cleanliness is vital! When working, you need to make sure your zerk fitting is completely clean and sanitary. Use a clean cloth to lightly pat it clean. The thing about grease is that it quickly gets dusty and dirty since it is oil after all. Otherwise, your grease can get contaminated and that might start many issues.
- You need to keep your ear out for a grease blowout. There is no knowing when this might happen so you need to be prepared! Listen for a large crack sound and if it persists as you use zerk fittings to add grease, you need to halt the process.
- Make sure you make sure that the grease being used is compatible with the kind of job you are going to start! If it’s not, you won’t be working efficiently.
- Gloves aren’t in place just for safety! They are also necessary because you want to make sure your hands are kept sanitary. You don’t want a hand covered in grease and oil, do you? To avoid this, gloves are the way to go! The grease can be extremely dangerous for your health so it cannot touch your skin.
That’s it from our end on how to attach grease gun to zerk fitting! While it certainly is a little technical and can get pretty tricky, if you follow the steps we have outlined below, you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this process.
Related: How Does a Grease Gun Work?
The main takeaway from this informative guide should be a better understanding of zerk fittings and how you can attach a grease gun to one. Hopefully, our article for the day has helped shine more light on the matter at hand! With that, we leave the job in your capable hands!
