Grease Fittings

lowrider · December 28, 2005

Hi Again

I did my first oil change today on my GMC 1500 with the Coil Spring front suspension. While under there I looked for Grease Fittings or Plugs. I could only find six (three on what looks to be ball joints located within the rim of each wheel). The problem is, I want to replace the straight fittings with 90 degree angle ones, so I can use my grease gun. When I tried to remove them with a 5/16" wrench, I could only remove two on each side located closest to the front of the vehicle. I could not grab anything on the other four. What am I doing wrong?

Lou

Mr. Smith · December 28, 2005

Hi Again

I did my first oil change today on my GMC 1500 with the Coil Spring front suspension. While under there I looked for Grease Fittings or Plugs. I could only find six (three on what looks to be ball joints located within the rim of each wheel). The problem is, I want to replace the straight fittings with 90 degree angle ones, so I can use my grease gun. When I tried to remove them with a 5/16" wrench, I could only remove two on each side located closest to the front of the vehicle. I could not grab anything on the other four. What am I doing wrong?

Lou

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Visegrips are the answer... If you have metric sockets that small try them. GM mixes metric heads with SAE threads. Stupid.

GM-Tech · December 28, 2005

GM mixes metric heads with SAE threads. Stupid.

Never heard that one before. I don't know of anywhere that GM has a metric headed bolt/screw with standard, non-metric threads. Haven't taken a grease fitting out in a very long while, but the last I looked, zerk fittings had somewhat of a pipe type thread. That is, a tapered thread.

lowrider · December 29, 2005

GM mixes metric heads with SAE threads. Stupid.

Never heard that one before. I don't know of anywhere that GM has a metric headed bolt/screw with standard, non-metric threads. Haven't taken a grease fitting out in a very long while, but the last I looked, zerk fittings had somewhat of a pipe type thread. That is, a tapered thread.

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Thanks for the answer. All the Fittings I have seen, and the two I removed have regular straight nut type shoulders, not tapered at all. Yes, the threaded part is somewhat tapered, but I am trying to remove them with the nut portion of the fitting. I guess I will try metric sockets, but that's certainly something I have never done before. I've replaced fittings in many vehicles, and never had an issue like this.

BTW, are the six I have found, the only fittings under there?

Thanks

Lou

Mr. Smith · December 29, 2005

GM mixes metric heads with SAE threads. Stupid.

Never heard that one before. I don't know of anywhere that GM has a metric headed bolt/screw with standard, non-metric threads. Haven't taken a grease fitting out in a very long while, but the last I looked, zerk fittings had somewhat of a pipe type thread. That is, a tapered thread.

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Funny my 97 is full of them, metric heads and SAE threads. Maybe you ought to put a thread pitch guage on some of the engine fasteners. You would be surprised.

GM-Tech · December 29, 2005

Can you be specific? Exactly which bolts are like this? Not saying it ain't so, but I guess I never really paid much attention to the type of thread vs. the head. We just unscrew 'em and put back the same ones.

alvocado · December 30, 2005

For less than $15, you can buy a right angle grease gun adapter which will allow you to grease fittings in low clearance locations. Avoid the hassle of changng the zerk fittings and buy the adapter. Do a Google search for "right angle grease adapter" if your local parts store doesn't carry one.

Mr. Smith · December 31, 2005

Can you be specific? Exactly which bolts are like this? Not saying it ain't so, but I guess I never really paid much attention to the type of thread vs. the head. We just unscrew 'em and put back the same ones.

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Air conditioning compressor 14mm head 3/8 bolt

Head bolts 15mm 7/16 thread...those were replaced with ARP. Torque to yield=garbage

valve cover 10mm..... 1/4 bolt

thats all I seem to remember off the cuff...

jcm0020 · August 2, 2006

Do I need a special fitting on my grease gun to inject the grease into the grease fittings? It seems to me that the grease will not go into the grease valve but instead just makes a mess around the grease fitting.

Thanks for your help. I'm a newbie at doing my own maintenance.

Mr. Smith · August 2, 2006

Do I need a special fitting on my grease gun to inject the grease into the grease fittings? It seems to me that the grease will not go into the grease valve but instead just makes a mess around the grease fitting.

Thanks for your help. I'm a newbie at doing my own maintenance.

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You fitting may be full of crap and you could remove it and try cleaning it out or just replace it. Also if the fitting is in a position that the gun can't go on straight it will be difficult to put grease in.

jcm0020 · August 2, 2006

You fitting may be full of crap and you could remove it and try cleaning it out or just replace it. Also if the fitting is in a position that the gun can't go on straight it will be difficult to put grease in.

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It's a brand new grease gun with no crap in the fitting. Is it supposed to be a snug fit on the grease fittings? Mine is loose. To me it seems like my nozzle is too big for the grease fittings.

Anybody else experience this?

Mr. Smith · August 3, 2006

You fitting may be full of crap and you could remove it and try cleaning it out or just replace it. Also if the fitting is in a position that the gun can't go on straight it will be difficult to put grease in.

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It's a brand new grease gun with no crap in the fitting. Is it supposed to be a snug fit on the grease fittings? Mine is loose. To me it seems like my nozzle is too big for the grease fittings.

Anybody else experience this?

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Sounds like the fitting on the end of the gun is loose and not tightened all the way.

TEE · August 3, 2006

Mr GM- Tech...

I replaced my 94 350 Silvy motor last winter and I can tell you also that GM DOES mix standard and metric....It was a real PIA to just about every metric and standard wrench out to do it....rediculous!