Attempt at Fixing a Clogged Grease Zerk Fitting!

Not only did I get a new Milwaukee M12 battery powered grease gun but I bought a tool that’s guaranteed to unplug bad grease zerk fittings. Follow along as I service and attempt to repair the N&N dump trailer. The question is will this tool work or will it fail?
Milwaukee Grease Gun: amzn.to/48Tdww1
AMAZON STORE: www.amazon.com/shop/hardworki...

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Strike hold link: www.strikehold.com/hwmo

[@clubdoraoutdoorsandfirewood]

Usually when you get a grease zero that won’t take grease, once reopened grease more often. As many other viewers have stated. Get the weight off the pin by jacking your trailer up. If that don’t work, remove the zerk and dig the dried crap out of the zerk. Small picking tools work good to dig into the the opened hole. Heat is your next option. Once that don’t work tell Rachel your going to get a new trailer. But promise you will grease more often. I’m KIDDING. GREASING IS DIRTY AND IT SUCKS. But it needs to be done. One thing I do like about a regular grease gun is you can usually feel on a bearing the pressure. So you stop pumping and don’t force the seal open so grease comes out. Heath you’ll get it opened. Another good video. Later Al

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Al, we’ll get it one way or another.

[@Rob.in.Tennessee]

I have the same grease gun. Now you need a lock-n-lube for it. It’s life changing.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I have one, just need to get it installed!

[@philliphall5198]

I very much agree, for people who don’t grease regularly it’s a must 😊

[@fatefarmspa]

I hate greasing stuff, too! We have to drive pins out of equipment all the time at work. Sometimes if you take the grease fitting out and get a pic, dig the inside of the pin out then squirt penetrating oil in there and put the grease fitting back in. I’ve had that work or just take the clip off and push the pin out halfway hit it with the grease gun probably open up

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll have to do something to open it up.

[@hansjansen7047]

I've had good luck with removing the zerk and blowing the old grease out of it and then trying the grease gun again. If you can picture the way the grease has to travel, if its blocked in the journal then the plug of old stuff in the zerk won't be able to displace that, but fresh grease may push the old grease in the journal through.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll definitely try cleaning the old grease out next time I mess with it.

[@toddbrown8701]

I used a zerk cleaner earlier today on my rv suspension, worked perfect!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Most people seem to have better luck with them than I did. I’ll keep working at it.

[@frankdrahos8569]

I have a couple of fillings on my jd loader that won’t take grease when the loader is on the ground. Conversely, there are a couple more that won’t take grease when the bucket is in the air. Before disassembling anything I would take the weight off that side of the trailer with a jack. Might take grease just fine then. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, I am going to try this!

[@46fd04]

IMPORTANT: when greasing wheel bearings, get the wheel off the ground and spin the wheel while greasing. Otherwise you may blow out the rear bearing seal and contaminate the brakes.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you for that advice, I was not aware that you should lift the tire and spin it while greasing. One of the things I love about KZbin is how much I learn from others and then I can use that knowledge to help others learn.

[@46fd04]

​@@hardworkingmanoutdoorsYou're welcome. You can't always trust what people say because there is a lot of misinformation on KZbin. But spinning the wheels is mandatory when greasing the wheel bearings. The info comes straight from the manufacturer.

[@fmylife7025]

As someone named Jeff this video helped. Thank you

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

You’re welcome Jeff.

[@davidedwards3734]

I have the Dewalt version, don't even know where my manual grease gun is!! I've changed zerk fittings, i like the idea of the tool of busting bad grease. Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks David, I’ve changed the fitting twice. Going to try a few more things.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

I have one of the lock n lube grease busters - works great - you MUST USE PENETRATING OIL OUT OF A SCREW TOP CAN TO BE EFFECTIVE - Kerosene works great.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks for the tip.

[@joegregorc2581]

Also it’s good to check to make sure the zerks don’t have paint over them. I don’t think that’s your problem but I had a few on my tractor that had paint on them from factory and they wouldn’t take grease until I chipped the paint off. Great video. Thanks!!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, no paint on these but something to consider in the future.

[@philliphall5198]

On my 8 foot damdem disk I have two grease guns, one on each fender, cheap grease first to push out dirt and grease, then switch to other with Lucas red and tacky Never changed brging in 45 years of regular normal farm use Grease every thing folks 😊

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I had not thought about that, that is a good idea.

[@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119]

I need to get me a battery grease gun as well. I wondered how them things work. You must have special one. Lift up the side the trailer take a bar try and get that joint to move when greasing it should make it take. Keep up the good work

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Dan, I’ll get it one way or another.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

Look the the lock n lube G-Gun instead- works better than a battery unit and is always ready to go with 10,000 PSI

[@OpenAirAdventure]

Battery powered grease gus are great. We have them at work so I never have to buy one lol. Pop out the zerk and replace it. But I've seen it not take great beyond the zerk also. Hopefully a new one will resolve your problem.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Kenny, I’ve changed the zerk with no luck. But yes the battery powered gun is definitely something I should have done a long time ago!

[@josephgilbert6437]

Nice video again laughing along with you😂 You might want to be a stand-up comedian in the future😂

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I actually hear that a lot lol. Thanks Joe.

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Great video. I saw that tool on another channel and it worked. But I had my doubts. I’d be thinking to change the nipple would be the start of a fix. 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Noel, I’ve changed the fitting twice. Going to try a few more things.

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors 👍🏻👍🏻. Something past the fitting is the trouble then. 🤔

[@york806]

What i do, remove old fitting and screw in new fitting..

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

This is my second new fitting, no luck.

[@billy-bo-dilly]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors If replacing the zerk did not fix the issue, then using a tool to clean the old zerk is not going to work either. It's not the tool's issue. Maybe the zerk was for decorative purposes only.

[@stevepope5484]

I agree Replace the fitting I wouldn't want to force any dirt into my bearings/bushing. Plus The tool wouldn't work on a snapper front rim.

[@saltysteel3996]

​@@billy-bo-dilly This tool doesn't fix Zerk fittings. It blows high pressure oil into the grease path and cavity behind the Zerk. Zero fittings are never the issue, it's always the path behind it.

[@sawsurgeon]

Heath, buddy, you were cracking me up with all of the whining about how messy greasing is! As a farmer and a mechanic/heavy equipment operator, I have run a lot of grease through guns over the years and have only had a battery gun for the past few years. I was just waiting for you to use words like yucky or icky, and I was going to call for your man card! Others have offered great advice, taking the load off the suspension, perhaps swapping out the fitting, but often times it is dirt caked in the orifice where the grease comes out, and that dirt will eventually become packed to the point that it is like carbon . Sometimes it is simple as taking the fitting out and running a small drillbit, and as far as it will reasonably go. Then you could try your penetrating oil injector. I do not like to use heat on something like that, so the smoke wrench option is a last resort. Bless’ns and thanks for the entertainment! Tedd

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Tedd, I still say grease is messy lol. I’ll get it one way or another. Appreciate the tips.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

Grease will always be messy - that’s what disposable gloves and Lock-N-Lube grease couplers are made for. If you don’t get your hands dirty you’re probably not working very hard. Grease and oil are just facts of life if you own equipment so there is no point crying over it.

[@WestwayFirewood1313]

We have the M18 version and the Dewalt. I keep one on the truck to use in the field and one in the workshop. They make the job so much easier and a lot less frustrating. I did change out the ends and replaced them with the locking type. It make a difference in tight areas. As for the residual grease.... You ain't doing nothing wrong, it happens almost every time.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yeah I love this thing. I’ll be putting a locking coupler on it for sure.

[@philliphall5198]

Jack up the rear of trailer and then grease it 😊😊😊 No pressure on axles

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, that is what I plan to do next time I mess with it.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

You have more patience than me Heath ida taken a bigger hammer to it once it didn’t work . I’ve had that happen just gota take the pressure off it maybe add a lil heat but worst case take out the zerk an use a pic to remove the hardend grease add some heat an a shot of pb blaster an it should free it up

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Phil, believe me I wanted to take a sledge to it lol. But I followed the instructions with no luck. Going to try a few more things. I’m not giving up yet.

[@ralphkanagy4602]

Nice. Video

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Ralph.

[@dirtfarmer3891]

That spring shackle pivot pin would be an excellent chance to try the “heat and quench” option. With your grease zerk off, heat that pin with a cutting torch, then immediately quench it with cold water. Replace the zerk and try to grease it. You might have to repeat it two or three times. If it works, you won’t have to struggle with hammering that pin out.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Jack, I have heat it but maybe not enough. I may have to go this route.

[@dirtfarmer3891]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors yep, a cutting torch probably needs several heating sessions as that pin has a long chamber packed with “grease worms”. Quench it as quick as you can each time. Take the zerk off and dig out as much as you can with a wire or drill bit. Also, do you have an AGCO dealer nearby? They have an amazing penetrating spray foam that beats anything I’ve tried. It’s called: “Panther Spray”. Before he died of Covid, the parts man who sold it to me said, “After you spray it on a rusted nut, put a dishpan in under it, because, in the morning, that nut is going to be in that dishpan!” -He was not exaggerating by much! It has a huge “brain cancer” warning on the label, but so far no damage brain here….I think….

[@MrTks1959]

I bought one of those tools about a dozen years ago and had the same exact results.... And changing the zerk didn't help. I was rooting for you and hoping that the tool was going to work (because I still have the tool) LOL

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I still have to try a few things. Haven’t battled it again yet.

[@billobermeyer660]

I don't have any advice for you Heath, but it certainly doesn't look like user error. Maybe running with the trailer like you suggested will help, good luck!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Obie.

[@On_The_Farm]

I have the M18 version. I will never go back to a manual gun.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner.

[@heymakerphd1982]

For probs like this, I usually use my hot 'wrench'.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

May have to. One way or another I’ll get it.

[@chrisfoltz6810]

Health you need to get the lock and lube for the grease gun.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Chris, I have one for it!

[@brucer1220]

Heat the area around the zerk and the grease will break up and let you fill it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll give it a try.

[@timpoore7823]

Had pretty good luck getting the fittings free. I used diesel fuel and a 2lb hammer. Hit that sucker!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Tim, may give that a shot.

[@brucer1220]

Marvel Mystery Oil is very good stuff also.

[@gregorymacneil2836]

You need a lock n lube grease coupler added to your grease gun

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I have one just need to get it swapped over.

[@philliphall5198]

Electric grease gun is great and a knocker is great for cleaning a no taking zert

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, I love that electric grease gun. I should’ve bought it years ago.

[@allanulen3809]

Try a dixie cup and spray lub in there and the pout in tool. Just a suggestion.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll try that too.

[@larrygliszczinski7617]

Try a new zero an also take the weight off the spring

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ve replaced the fitting but I’m going to try taking the weight off. Thanks.

[@stephenreiner1523]

Well at least you opened that Zirk fitting. Sometimes you just have to change the angle of the fitting. Hmm, I think I would just change the angle of the fitting.Then try greasing it as soon as you switch it out.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Stephen, going to try jacking the trailer up to see if that helps.

[@joedirt9600]

Clean grease fitting, grease then wipe grease fitting off

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks!

[@joedirt9600]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors I worked for an old boy driving truck for him, he was a stickler about it and kept his eye on us..lol

[@toddsoutsideagain]

I was reaching for a big hammer watching you fiddle with this😂 Not a fan of greasing either but what a difference it makes. Take care Heath👊🏻🇺🇸

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

May have to go to a bigger hammer for sure. It’s going to open up one way or another.

[@andyfortuin1756]

I use a porta power to force oil in

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Is there a special fitting? I have a porta power.

[@andyfortuin1756]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors take the zero out and use either grease gun hose or a 1/8 pipe fitting 1/8 to 3/8 pipe adapter

[@Pmz604]

I took a torch type lighter..heated up the grease nipple for 5 to 8 seconds.. let it cool..and greased it up Give it a go..you'll be happy you did too

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you!

[@46fd04]

Looks like it's time to replace the greasable wet bolt

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Actually, just yesterday I jacked the trailer up and it took grease, not sure if it was from Jack and the trailer up or from the penetrating oil that I had forced into it with this tool.

[@46fd04]

Excellent news. I have one wet bolt on my trailer that won't take grease. I'm gonna try using your trick with penetrating oil and see what happensk​@@hardworkingmanoutdoors

[@FredoDeMerced]

Time to use the torch! The easy way.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

May have to.

[@user-sm3zn5mk8z]

Hi y'all doing try doing what the last 2 comment said to do it should work. Have a good day

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll get it one way or another.

[@adirondackwoodsman]

Well you certainly gave it the old college try! I have 2 of the Ryobi grease guns. One for home and one for camp so I don’t have to bring it back and forth. Also just bought the Milwaukee M12 caulk gun for my board and Batten project. My hands were getting sore back in the fall with the manual caulk gun.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, these battery powered tools are great!

[@RyanJardina]

Wow, you take the time to clean the outside of the zerk to prevent dirty/junk from going. But you use a 'tool' to push junk straight into that environment you're to keep clean. A zerk fitting is 25¢

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I put a new zero on twice, that wasn’t the problem. We have it taking grease now though!

[@jmm1000]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors…what was the solution after all?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

@jmm1000 I think having the penetrating grease forced into the zero then letting it sit and driving it loosened it up. The next time I had it unloaded I jacked the trailer up to take the weight off the wheels and hit it with the grease gun and it took grease. So either taking the weight off, the penetrating oil, or a combo of the two.

[@LogCabinFirewood]

I like those Milwaukee grease guns, they just got us the m18 one at work last month. Awesome for all our equipment. Heath I like your new tool, but it's just as easy to replace the fitting sometimes too😂😂🤷‍♂️

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

It was supposed to work easy. Guess not.

[@TedOption]

I think ur supposed to remove the fitting from trailer,then use t hammer tool.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

According to the directions, you just put it on the grease zerk it clips on just like a grease gun.

[@toddpacheco4748]

Maybe 🤔 things will change once you roll it down the road 😮😊❤

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ll keep trying until I get it!

[@mosthuggable]

Where can I get that little grease buster at?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Link should be in the description. Got it off Amazon

[@edhansen8531]

Lol, i have had one for 40 years, its very sketchy, I run grader and equipment , log trucks, it's works better if, you take of old incert, clean out with a piece of haywire, install new grease cert, then do as you were doing it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, I’ll get back after it on my next day’s off work.

[@theusconstitution1776]

BIGGER HAMMER❤️❤️🇺🇸

[@LonnieJohnson-ny7xu]

Did you buy the trailer new and never took grease could defect in the pin

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I bought it used.

[@carllewis8203]

🎉

[@charliewagner2727]

I would try jacking up just enough to take weight off pin. Then try to grease it. Works on my big tex dump trailer.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, this is going to be the next thing I try.

[@dmalloy96]

Well I was hoping it would work for but I guess not

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Not yet but I’ll get it somehow.

[@philliphall5198]

Get the weight of the axle and spring, jack up the rear of trailer Dang folks your father failed you 😢😢😢

[@HIghlander03304]

What the heck is the name of the tool you used? You didn't list it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

It should be in our Amazon store but here is a link, it is a grease joint rejuvenator. amzn.to/3VVL4oL

[@brianprange8049]

You have a bad grease zero. Change it out and it should work.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ve changed out the zerk with no luck.

[@highwatercircutrider]

Maybe your grease zerk fitting was put in a drilled, tapped hole with no exit to the joint itself.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I may have to check that as I’ve never been able to get it to take grease.

[@franklackie2469]

I would just change the fitting

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks, may have to.

[@york806]

But some of newer stuff is the press in fitting, then your new tool may work..

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’m not giving up yet. I got some tips to try here in the comments.

[@joeluppino824]

Damn man take 45 sec. and change the fitting

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ve changed the zerk, no luck.

[@joekrzeminski467]

Just change the fitting.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ve done that. Going to try jacking it up.

[@jameschandler2776]

Very few things that are 100% guaranteed on the internet is suspect. Sorry it didn't work for you. That electric grease gun looks like the thing to have. It sure makes it easier and cleaner. Greasing is not a fun job.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks James, I love the new Milwaukee grease gun! Not giving up on the fitting yet.

[@jamesbonkoski2481]

That’s a M18 grease gun not a M12 you purchased

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Nope, I have the M12. The M18 takes the bigger batteries.

[@johnkerin3583]

change fitting.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I changed it out twice so far and no luck.

[@LWRC]

Why would you need this tool to use penetrating oil to break out a clogged grease fitting when grease guns put out 8000PSI??!!! What is the surface area of the ball surface of the zerk fitting??!!!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I tried the grease gun and it was unsuccessful.

[@LWRC]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors Interesting. Will keep that in mind if I come across it!

[@rickhamm3962]

Be cautious about greasing your wheel bearings like that.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We were greasing the suspension. I wouldn’t use this tool on a Bearing

[@InMyBusyLittleShop]

Yeah…. Seems that the bigger the letters used to claim “guaranteed to work” the less likely that it will.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I agree, but the reviews on this tool were great.

[@InMyBusyLittleShop]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors I wonder why you have such an issue? You said that you replaced the grease zerk and still doesn’t work. Is the hole all the way through?

[@tech-test-break-fix]

You are going to find something funny like the wet bolt is not cross drilled.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I hope not lol.

[@JacobAHull-nx6rx]

Change the zerk, use a hand pump gun

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ve tried that, next time I’m planning on taking the weight off the axle and trying again. Thanks!

[@stevenoel5491]

You mentioned it never worked from the beginning... is it possible it's a manufacture's defect on the pin so it will never take grease?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I am not sure, I bought the trailer used. I plan on taking it apart to check next time I get a chance.