Grease zerks

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dirtautoguy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
247
Reaction score
138
I have a 96 k1500 rcsb. All my steering and suspension components have grease zerks and are pretty new.

It is time again to do my oil change and grease the fittings but I dread the pitman arm fitting. I have a very hard time sneaking it up to the zerk from the bottom that’s facing up.

Some ideas Iv had was getting a locking attachement with a handle thought I’m not sure if that would help or hinder.

Building a adapter with 1/8 npt pipe that would make like a U shape to get to the nipple

Or the simplest idea Iv had but I haven’t checked to see if it would work was to just get a 90 degree zerk I think that would be easier to get onto.

I’m not positive of the zerk size but before I dove to far into I figured I’d check and see what you guys have done or what ideas you had. Currently my grease gun is big tube with a lever to pump it and a flexible hose. It was my grandpas a million years ago and it still works fantastic
 

RichLo

E I E I O
Joined
Jan 6, 2015
Messages
3,618
Reaction score
5,540
Location
Wisconsin
As long as your have a long flexible hose like you said, you should be able to get to it from the top? May need to turn the wheel a bit to find the right spot
 

Orpedcrow

I don’t know what I’m doing
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2022
Messages
2,287
Reaction score
5,774
Location
East Texas
Mine came with an extension hose for the fitting. I didn’t use it cause I can reach all mine from the engine bay.
 

GoToGuy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 16, 2020
Messages
2,934
Reaction score
3,409
Location
CAL
Actually there are a lot of fittings in different configurations.
90 ° , 45° , some manufactured with an extended base allowing easier access in tight areas.
Or even when I installed new idler arm box contained a short hose to remote mount fitting to avoid removing front skid plate.
Good luck.
 

Erin

I'm Awesome
Joined
Sep 30, 2017
Messages
1,273
Reaction score
2,680
Location
Louisiana
Actually there are a lot of fittings in different configurations.
90 ° , 45° , some manufactured with an extended base allowing easier access in tight areas.
Or even when I installed new idler arm box contained a short hose to remote mount fitting to avoid removing front skid plate.
Good luck.
I need that.
 

dirtautoguy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
247
Reaction score
138
I’ll have to check it out from the top. I know I can see the pitman zerk on my 2011 Silverado but I can’t reach it.

If it looks reasonable I might try making a extension to easily reach them from the top

My idler arm has the extended grease zerk which has been handy
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,613
Reaction score
15,235
For the idler and Pitman, all I ever have to do is turn the wheel to get them into position. I go in from the bottom and bend the hose 180. Never had a problem.
 

dirtautoguy

I'm Awesome
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
247
Reaction score
138
Well maybe I’m making it more of a problem than it needs to be but this is what I came up with. It cost me about $25 at the hardware store I was able to get to the idler and pitman arm super easy with it too. I think it will work on my 2011 Silverado also.
 

Attachments

  • 4EAF0699-0F2D-4AC9-9829-CCCFA364A507.jpeg
    4EAF0699-0F2D-4AC9-9829-CCCFA364A507.jpeg
    423.9 KB · Views: 26
Top