I hate greasing the front fittings

[ulflyer]

Recently did an oil/filter change (every 4K) and I always grease .....or attempt to grease....the front fittings. 2 or 3 of the eight fittings take grease and rest won't, despite pushing the nozzle in as hard as possible. :banghead:

I

[BajaRon]

Recently did an oil/filter change (every 4K) and I always grease .....or attempt to grease....the front fittings. 2 or 3 of the eight fittings take grease and rest won't, despite pushing the nozzle in as hard as possible. :banghead:

I

They can definitely be a bear. I've take to using full synthetic grease from Amsoil. Synthetic grease is much thinner than regular bearing grease. That lets it get into tight places better and I've found it easier to lube those pesky A-Arm bushings on the Spyder.

It also lubricates better.

[Jeriatric]

If I remember correctly....it was sometime ago. Someone discovered the threaded portion of the zerk was longer than the debth of what it was being screwed into. End result was the zerk bottoming out on the bushing. Might take a look, and if that's the case. Relieve a little of their length.

[SNOOPY]

I didn't even know there were grease fittings. lol

Good thing I only have 800 miles on my bike so far. :shocked:

[ulflyer]

If I remember correctly....it was sometime ago. Someone discovered the threaded portion of the zerk was longer than the debth of what it was being screwed into. End result was the zerk bottoming out on the bushing. Might take a look, and if that's the case. Relieve a little of their length.

Excellent idea; that may be the problem. On those that take grease it takes a firm pump but on those that won't you know the first pump as its so easy. I'll pull some and check the depth as I replace them all a long time ago with aftemarket types I could more easily get the grease gun fitting onto.

[HuckFin]

I didn't even know there were grease fittings. lol

Good thing I only have 800 miles on my bike so far. :shocked:

I greased mine at 600 miles with synthetic grease from BRP.

[SNOOPY]

lol I better look for them then.

[ulflyer]

I greased mine at 600 miles with synthetic grease from BRP.

Did you find a nozzle for your grease gun that fit over the top of the zerks? On mine the BRP zerks stuck straight up and after buying two or three nozzles for my grease gun that snapped on over these, and none worked, I removed the upright zerks and put in some 45 or 90 degree type that I could use a regular straight push on nozzle. Some of the zerks were nearly impossible to get out/in and I hesitate to even fool with them again, but if I can find a nozzle that fits over the OEM zerks, I'd put them back in instead of fiddling with my replacements.

[SNOOPY]

Two or three grease gun nozzles?

My grease gun has a twist nozzle fitting on the end, it adjust to many types of zerks.

Never ran across one it hasn't fit yet. :dontknow:

[ulflyer]

Two or three grease gun nozzles?

My grease gun has a twist nozzle fitting on the end, it adjust to many types of zerks.

Never ran across one it hasn't fit yet. :dontknow:

Have never seen anything like that at NAPA, Tractor Supply, or auto stores. If you know where to get one, I'd apprec some info. :rolleyes:

Edited: Looked it up on Amazon and found what you're talking about plus some other types of "couplers" (not nozzles as I've been calling them). Had I thought to do this two years ago before going through the aggravation of the other couplers and then changing out the zerks, I'd be way ahead of the game! DUH.

[SNOOPY]

It's the only type grease gun I've ever seen?


Guns at auto parts stores, Lowes, Sears, etc etc are all the same?

you just twist the end of the nozzle to fit the zerk and/or even tighten it on the zerk so it doesn't fall off. :dontknow:

[bluestratos]

I bought right angle zerks but when I went to change them there is no room to install them unless I take the A-arm off the bike. I may be able to get them drop enough if I pull the shock and disconnect the sway bar, any one know?

Thanks

[gypsy_100]

I bought right angle zerks but when I went to change them there is no room to install them unless I take the A-arm off the bike. I may be able to get them drop enough if I pull the shock and disconnect the sway bar, any one know?

Thanks

??? I installed 45-degree ones in all locations except the upper rear left where a 90-degree worked better. Not much room for your hands, if that's what you mean, but it can be done. Just a little cursing is all it takes. The real trick is getting them oriented the right direction when they are tight. I bought three times as many as I needed and just kept trying one after the other until I got one that screwed up tight and was pointing the right direction in each of the eight locations.

As for depth, I think the both OEM's and my replacements are fine as the shoulders of the fitting are tight against the arm; the shoulders are what stops it from threading in any further, not the bottoming out of the fitting. Unless they both happen to be hitting at the same time and I can't tell that.

[bluestratos]

My 90's won't even turn, they hit on the way around. I will have to take another look.

[HuckFin]

Did you find a nozzle for your grease gun that fit over the top of the zerks? On mine the BRP zerks stuck straight up and after buying two or three nozzles for my grease gun that snapped on over these, and none worked, I removed the upright zerks and put in some 45 or 90 degree type that I could use a regular straight push on nozzle. Some of the zerks were nearly impossible to get out/in and I hesitate to even fool with them again, but if I can find a nozzle that fits over the OEM zerks, I'd put them back in instead of fiddling with my replacements.

I used a 90 degree grease coupler/nozzle that I bought from Napa #715-1259 also I have a battery powered grease gun (Lincoln), so I only needed one hand to press the trigger on the grease gun while holding the nozzle tight to the grease fitting with the other hand....Helps to get the front end up a little. Not easy but doable.

[gypsy_100]

My 90's won't even turn, the hit on the way around. I will have to take another look.

Now I understand what you're saying. My fittings are no problem at all. Different design with a shorter "arm", I don't know.

[billybovine]

This looks like it will work. So before I go out and buy one has anyone tried one of these?

80362

[ulflyer]

Billy, thats the type I tried at first and eventually bought two from different places locally. Neither worked for me. Grease squirted all over and one got hung up on the zerk and in process of removing it, along with considerable skin off my hand, it ripped out the nylon thingie that was inside it. Thats why I went with the 45 & 90's but as mentioned in my initial post, they ain't working so well either. I've just got to get at them but it kills my knees and back so I've been reluctant to mess with them again. :p

I'm considering pulling the front wheels off and removing the Frunk in order to have more elbow room to work on them. Might go on my winter list of "roundtuits".

Perhaps the above coupler is of better quality and if it is, it would make greasing the OEM's easy. Worth a try anyway.

[daltmeyer]

This looks like it will work. So before I go out and buy one has anyone tried one of these?

80362


I went and bought one of these thanks to the advice on this forum but wouldnt ya know the advice left out of most of those threads is that for the zerts that really need this fitting you need to grind the tip down a bit to get the clearance you need. If you have a grinder, great, if your like me, wasted money.

Ive since found a different fitting Ill try next time.

[Frank G]

I to have difficulty greasing the front fittings, the only way it works for me is to remove the "Frunk". I have purchased several assortments of fittings trying to find the right threads and thread length, not much luck here.

It would be nice if one of the site venders would package a set of 90 degree quality fittings that fit and offer them for sale. Up to the task BajaRon?:bowdown:

(Package them with a tube of quality grease)

[BajaRon]

This is what I use. Works great on the OEM zerks. You do have to get it on correctly. But that is true of any grease tip.

http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/images/tools2003/THE-418.jpg

[Frank G]

This is what I use. Works great on the OEM zerks. You do have to get it on correctly. But that is true of any grease tip.

http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/images/tools2003/THE-418.jpg
Where do we get one? The one I have is slightly different and does not work well.

[Sonrisa]

Where do we get one? The one I have is slightly different and does not work well.

I also would like to know

[Frank G]

This is what I use. Works great on the OEM zerks. You do have to get it on correctly. But that is true of any grease tip.

http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/images/tools2003/THE-418.jpg
Auto Zone THEXTON/Right angled grease adapterPart Number: THX418

About $11.00

[daltmeyer]

Like I said in my other post, be prepared to grind the tip down. I don't know how bajaron did it but in my experience the zerts that really need this fitting also don't have clearance for the extra 1/4 inch or so on the tip.

[Frank G]

Having a heavy mechanical background, and servicing my Spyders, I know the difficulties in greasing the A-arms. With that being said, I wonder if the dealer serviced machines are being properly lubricated. Only your mechanic knows!:yikes:

[HuckFin]

Having a heavy mechanical background, and servicing my Spyders, I know the difficulties in greasing the A-arms. With that being said, I wonder if the dealer serviced machines are being properly lubricated. Only your mechanic knows!:yikes:

I know what your saying. I used to take my Blazer to the Chevy dealer for a oil change and lube and discovered years later the upper ball joints were not being properly greased, (lots of grease piled on top but not in the ball joints) and that it was a ZR2 model with the negative offset wheels made it next to impossible to reach the fittings without taking off the wheels, which I'm sure they didn't do, so anyway I prefer doing my own general maintenance.

[BajaRon]

Having a heavy mechanical background, and servicing my Spyders, I know the difficulties in greasing the A-arms. With that being said, I wonder if the dealer serviced machines are being properly lubricated. Only your mechanic knows!:yikes:

A very good question. And one that many may not want to know the answer to....

[BajaRon]

Like I said in my other post, be prepared to grind the tip down. I don't know how bajaron did it but in my experience the zerts that really need this fitting also don't have clearance for the extra 1/4 inch or so on the tip.

One thing I've discovered is that there are a lot of differences, Spyder to Spyder. It may be that yours does not have the necessary clearance. Or, it could be you need to change your attack angle. All I can say is this fitting works for me and will probably work for others, though maybe not for everyone.

[daltmeyer]

One thing I've discovered is that there are a lot of differences, Spyder to Spyder. It may be that yours does not have the necessary clearance. Or, it could be you need to change your attack angle. All I can say is this fitting works for me and will probably work for others, though maybe not for everyone.


Yeah it might just be a clearance issue for the 09 models or similar. I know I saw a few posts saying this fitting worked well. After I bought one and tried it I did another search and saw that someone had to grind it down.

Regardless this has to be my least favorite maintenance item on the Spyder by far. All that trouble and you still dont know if you got grease into half the bearings. Next time Ill be more prepared with a different fitting.

[MikeinGA]

They can definitely be a bear. I've take to using full synthetic grease from Amsoil. Synthetic grease is much thinner than regular bearing grease. That lets it get into tight places better and I've found it easier to lube those pesky A-Arm bushings on the Spyder.

It also lubricates better.

:agree: I put 45 degree fittings in the top A-Arms, the lower I can get easily in my 2001 RS-S. If your not a good mechanic get one to change the fittings for you. That's IMHO.

Mike

[BajaRon]

Yeah it might just be a clearance issue for the 09 models or similar. I know I saw a few posts saying this fitting worked well. After I bought one and tried it I did another search and saw that someone had to grind it down.

Regardless this has to be my least favorite maintenance item on the Spyder by far. All that trouble and you still dont know if you got grease into half the bearings. Next time Ill be more prepared with a different fitting.

This is the 2nd 'Elephant in the room'. The design is such that it is quite doubtful that you'll be getting grease into the entire bushing surface. Another reason I'm using the much thinner, fully synthetic grease. No guarantee, of course. But I'm upping my odds.

[NancysToy]

This is the 2nd 'Elephant in the room'. The design is such that it is quite doubtful that you'll be getting grease into the entire bushing surface. Another reason I'm using the much thinner, fully synthetic grease. No guarantee, of course. But I'm upping my odds.
I agree! Without corresponding holes or slots in the bushing (sleeve), "doubtful" is an optimistic term. I have two of the eight that will not take grease on my 2011...even with the synthetic grease. I check for play at every oil change, and expect to have to replace them (all) soon. When they won't take grease, you'llknow. If they will take grease is isn't really going to the best place. Elephant in the room, indeed!

[ulflyer]

Its not something I can do but I like to know whats involved when replacements are needed.

Looking at a fiche I see that each bushing costs $8 and the cushions (two for each bushing) are $14 each. If I were able to do the replacements myself, I'd take the bushings to a machine shop and have some holes drilled so that they would take grease. I know this has been mentioned before, by Lamont I think, but with this thread ongoing about the subject, I thought I'd toss this out again in case some enterprising do-it-yourselfer wants to give it a try.

Another thought; if a bushing were made of bronze, wouldn't that work with a minimum of grease, or even no grease?

[DrewNJ]

What are the size of the zerk fittings? Thanks!

[bluestratos]

They are 6mm. I can see if mine take grease from below, the grease does squeeze out if done correctly. I will have to see about buying 45's since my 90's don't work.

[DrewNJ]

They are 6mm. I can see if mine take grease from below, the grease does squeeze out if done correctly. I will have to see about buying 45's since my 90's don't work.

Thanks!

Sent from my DROID using Tapatalk

[gypsy_100]

What are the size of the zerk fittings? Thanks!


They are 6mm. I can see if mine take grease from below, the grease does squeeze out if done correctly. I will have to see about buying 45's since my 90's don't work.

My notes show 6mm x 1-inch thread. Those worked for me. As I said earlier, I bought about three times as many as needed and just kept trying them until I got one in each location that threaded up tight and pointed more or less the right direction.

[flybuddy]

I have 2 that I find difficult to get the flexible hose from my grease gun on. I loosen them about 1/4 turn to get them pointed in a more accessible direction, add grease and then tighten them back up.

[rcompere]

The front wheels on my 2015 RT Limited are making a low squeaking noise at low speed. I am assuming that it is because the front fittings need grease. Thoughts?

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The front wheels on my 2015 RT Limited are making a low squeaking noise at low speed. I am assuming that it is because the front fittings need grease. Thoughts?

How long have you had your Spyder? I'm guessing you haven't studied the maintenance section of your operator's guide yet, because if you had you most likely would have noticed there is no requirement listed for greasing suspension components. That's because all of the joints were changed to lifetime grease components back about 2013. Your squeak may be coming from dry rubber bushings.

Also, this is an 8 year old thread. Most of the posters are gone, and threads this old are often not at all relevant for the current time. With questions like this one it's best to start a new thread.

[rcompere]

Gotcha. Thanks. I've had it one year.

[Mikey]

The front wheels on my 2015 RT Limited are making a low squeaking noise at low speed. I am assuming that it is because the front fittings need grease. Thoughts?

Are you hearing this squeak when you get on and off the bike? If you was on the bike and try to roll the bike by standing on the foot pegs and rocking side to side, do you hear it then? If you are hearing it at low speeds only it may be your brakes not your front end. Some times mine will do that when I first take off after a wash job or a long stay in the garage!!

[redrazor]

My 2014 RTL has no fittings on the front end!? :yikes: :clap: :coffee: