How to use grease gun with zerks.

[T133]

Few days ago I decided to apply synthetic grease to the zerks and the grease gun does not seem to apply enough pressure.

Do I have to do something to zerks or is it simply pull the spring, put grease tube into the gun, release the spring (still cant see how the spring alone can apply anought pressure), attach hose to the zerk and start pumping.

Also I have to push the hose hard into the zerk and hold it otherwise it
falls of, is this normal?

 

[malmgren]

Yes, you have to press the grease gun onto the zerk and apply firm pressure before squeezing grease. Be sure to keep the grease nozzle directly inline with the zerk. Even having it cocked just a bit might cause grease to escape from the sides.

Also, some zerk fittings are sealed. They look like a normal zerk, except there is no ball bearing to allow grease to flow inside. Just look on the top of the zerk and see if there is a hole.

 

[Koz]

In my grease gun there is a rod with a plunger at the end. This rod is spring loaded. I have to pull the rod back until it locks in the plunger. I then screw off the end cap with the locked plunger. I slide a tube of grease (Amsoil synthetic) with both ends opened in the grease gun tube and screw the end cap back on. After everything is sealed up I release the lock on the plunger rod and the spring loaded plunger now presses against the grease. You may have to pump it several times until the grease starts to come out of the flexible tip of the grease gun. The spring doesn't push the grease; the plunger/seal at the end of the spring/rod and the pumping action is what pushes the grease out.

Koz

 

[4by4th]

The part of the greese gun that fits on the zirk may be the wrong size. The first one I tried didn't fit the zirk. Luckily I had another greese gun in the garage that fit the zirk. The correct size stays connected to the zirk until I start pumping, then I keep pushing it on while pumping. The incorrect size was too small and wouldn't fit around the zirk.

 

[greasefingers]

Those mini guns are nice and small. The perfect size for a DIY-er. I too have thrown a brand new one in the trash however. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[veloindy]

I've been holding off doing my zerks because I'm so confused. I've read people suggest different types of grease. What is everybody that does this maitenance use? Is one grease ok for both types that Toyota suggests we use?

A link to the proper (and really good)grease gun, and grease, would be nice. I'll order them today!

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Koz]

I use this for everything!

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/grg.aspx

Koz

 

[veloindy]

I use this for everything!

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/grg.aspx

Koz

Thanks Koz. I'm a grease so bare with me. Does it make a difference if the grease isn't rated NGLI-1? I'm confused as to why Toyota suggest two different standards.

Also, I can't find a grease on the Amsoil website. Did you get the grease gun from them too?

Thanks again for you help!

 

[greasefingers]

I don

 

[greasefingers]

Yea I paid over $ 200 for a set of factory service manuals. It clearly states the use of two different greases. But I just shoot Mobil1 grease in all of the Zerk fittings :biggrin2:

 

[4by4th]

I use the pretty red Mobil 1 Synthetic on all the zircs I can find (3 so far). 2 noises disappeared right away. Makes me wonder if anybody else ever bothered to look for those zirks. Might get under there this weekend and look for more.

 

[greasefingers]

This is for a 2003 v8 Sport ... if it matters?

 

[4by4th]

What book is that in the photo?

 

[greasefingers]

$ 230 bucks gets you these

 

[greasefingers]

Several hundred pages of geek info

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Factory Repair Manual

What book is that in the photo?

It's the Factory Repair Manual. I also have a set for my 4runner.

If you intend to do most repairs yourself, it is worth the $200 for them, because it does show many diagrams and details of the sequence of dissassembly for everything.

It reduces the chances of breaking something

 

[greasefingers]

Bought a new toy day. A grease gun with a pistol grip and it comes with the flexible hose. It is PT (Performance Tools Gun) & 15.95 at my local hole-in-the-wall auto parts store (goes by the name RPM) I love it EXCEPT it did not slip onto all of the Zerks without extreme force. So I removed the old head (the Zerk female connector thingy) from my old gun and use it on the new one.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

I have that exact same grease gun - which I bought from Advance Auto Parts.

I have used it on my 4Runner twice, and have not had any trouble with it. The flexible hose is extremely nice, and is what I would consider a necessity for the 4Runner's zerks.

I have one tube of synthetic grease, although it is not the Mobil-1 brand.

 

[greasefingers]

:rocker: This is my third gun. I had one without the pistol grip, but the long handle was a PITA and I gave it to my father. Then I bought a mini grease gun which was a POS. Finally I found the perfect one for me.

 

[cali_axela]

Bought a new toy day. A grease gun with a pistol grip and it comes with the flexible hose. It is PT (Performance Tools Gun) & 15.95 at my local hole-in-the-wall auto parts store (goes by the name RPM) I love it EXCEPT it did not slip onto all of the Zerks without extreme force. So I removed the old head (the Zerk female connector thingy) from my old gun and use it on the new one.

I just picked up this same gun at Kragen. It works great for reaching all the driveline zerks on the runner. HOWEVER, I found that the check ball on a couple of the zerks was seized... no matter how much pressure I applied, and I'm sure it was fitted ontp the zerk straight and all the way, the grease just oozed out the sides of the gun's hose instead of going in. Anyone else had this problem? I was able to take the zerk fittings off w/ a 7mm ratchet, but unsure if it's a generic part or if I should pick up new zerks from Toyota directly for more $$.