Never greased anything

We call them zerks in the military. Our parts doc's refer to them as zerks so that's what I call them.

-J

 

Just did this task yesterday.

'06 4WD Tacoma that had a previous life on gravel roads. Spent about 3 hours removing debris (dust, rocks, straw, sticks) packed in the frame and cross members. Then went to the driveshafts. Each Zerk (grease fitting) required multiple strokes to fill. I don't think this has been done for the previous 108 kmiles.

I was beginning to feel a slight shudder when accelerating off a stop. I figured I was losing a U-joint. Now, after the maintenance, the shudder is gone. So, crossing my fingers the U-joint damage is not too significant.

 

I’m in Landscaping and all the small engine mechanics also call them zerks. Would be kinda stupid to keep calling them grease fittings all day when you can just say zerk.

 

This doesn’t mean much, but I’ve been selling auto parts since 1985 and have always called them zerks or grease fittings. We must be bored.

 

These kinds of debates always kill me. If you know what someone means, and it's not the literal name of a totally different part, what's the big deal? I still say velcro even though I know good and well that the actual name is hook and loop fastener.

 

Or Pampers being used to refer to any brand of diapers in certain parts of the country. I'm sure there's countless other examples, like asking for a Coke for instance.

-J

 

I don’t care what people call them. If someone is used to calling them Zerks, fine. If others call them grease fittings or grease nipples, fine. Just don’t “correct” people using the terms grease fittings or grease nipples like you don’t think they know anything and say “they’re Zerks”. I’ve seen numerous posts doing just that.

Search for “zerks” on McMaster-Carr, it takes you to “Grease Fittings”. Search for “grease nipple” it takes you to “grease fittings”. Search for “grease fittings” ... well ... guess . All the same thing.

 

Who is this we and what military? Not to be pedantic, but just because USAF documents call them something, doesn't mean the entire US military calls them the same or has documents calling them the same.

I just pulled up the TM for an M119A3 howitzer (only used by the Army). While not the LO, they are clearly identified as "Grease Fittings" in the TM with a different number depending on which configuration of the A3 you have. The M777A2 TM(used by both the Army and the Marines) has similiar nomenclature, although simply refers to them as "fittings". Now why I have those TMs on my laptop when I signed out on retirement leave last month is another thing-not only do I have to get rid of all my excess Army shit, I also need to clean my laptop of the same.

BL: The terms are used interchangeably. Using authoritative terms across a huge spectrum(the entire military) may not be wise if you have only seen a small corner of it.

 

What kind of grease is everyone using?

I saw someone post "Lucas #2 Red", but I'm curious what others are using andtheir experiences with them.

 

I used Mobil 1 for years, but it would always separate and drool all over things. I switched to Valvoline's Synthetic about 5 years ago and now that is all I will use.

https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/grease-gear-oil/full-synthetic-grease

 

Don't be too anal about the brand of grease.

Just make sure it has met the GC-LB specs (was NGLI #2) and the EP (Extreme Pressure) specs.

I'm using a Lithium base with Moly that meets the GC-LB and EP criteria.



In truth, any grease is better than no grease.

 

Yeah, brands don't matter much to me, so long as the quality is there. I was more curious about types of grease and specifications.

Thanks for the info.

 

I just hit all five zirks today. Every 5k miles with oil change. Far as brands, I always I used SM Grease. My Uncle Pete was an old school mechanic and this stuff was all he would ever use. He used it on his Edsel Wagon and the thing never broke down. When he flamed out in the mid 80's, I inherited much of his garage stock as he was a lifelong One Man Service Station owner. I must have gotten 24 cans of this stuff and I run it on all my vehicles. Uncle Pete said he was sold on it when the sales guy told him other greases were made by guys throwing ingredients into large vats and stirring up crazy concoctions, but this stuff was actually scientifically manufactured which meant something in those days. But I gotta say the stuff is magic. Old school grease what only seems to get better with age.

But one thing Uncle Pete was anal about. He said it took a careful eye to know how much grease to put in a zirk. "Wooohh, be gentle boy. Easy does it. Give it just enough to fill the voids." Since then I am always careful to not overdo it.