Hub Zerks

Z

zak zehnacker

New member
Sep 5, 1999
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No zerks here. Not sure if the threads cut in the hub for the zerk fitting
would make it more likely to crack or not. I haven't heard any problems
though, so it must be ok. I have heard stories of people that have blown
out their seals using the zerk leading to loss of grease/failure though so
follow Heinz's warning to be gentle when putting in grease. It also
doesn't get any of the old grease/dirt out. Heinz's success indicates that
this might not be a problem either, so it sounds like a good way to go.

We do have a tool/method of greasing our bearings without removing them
from the hub. The hub assembly has to be removed from the GMC, but it does
allow the old grease/dirt to be removed. We even used it to pack a brand
new bearing as it did a much better job than our hand
packing. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we will ever be able to
produce it. The racing and maintenance just take up all the free time. I
have taken the product stuff off of the web site for this reason.

Now would be a good time to mention that I am changing ISPs. My erols.com
email address will no longer be valid. The Seemann Motorsports web page
has been moved to http://smsgmc.virtualave.net . The frame off page is
still at http://smsgmc.webjump.com .

Zak

>-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #3.1a PRODIGY ] --
>
>Seems like we talked about this a year ago. I thought Zak had Zerks on
>his hubs also, and then there was a page where someone was going to sell
>just such a system. I not sure where all this is hidden, but I do
>remember it. (Not sure about Zak but he will let us know) You can
>clearly see the Zerk on the Wallace pictures.
>
>As Heinz is saying, the worry was blowing out the seal with too much
>pressure. And--- where does that pesky grease go any way, I like Heinz
>suggestion, just fills in the cracks.
>
>Sort of the way icecream does when you are too full to eat any more.
>
>gene
 
>
> No zerks here. Not sure if the threads cut in the hub for
> the zerk fitting would make it more likely to crack or not.

Just a point of information here - are we talking about zerks in the hubs or
in the knuckles? I've never heard of installing grease fittings in the hubs
and can't imagine where they would be located and how the grease would be
channeled to the bearings. I have heard of grease fittings installed on the
knuckles, but have also been concerned about grease pressure forcing out the
inner seal.

Patrick
 
I probably need a show and tell lesson on what's what. Just to be sure there
is no mis-information on my part I went out and snapped a couple of pics. Is
that the hub or the knuckle :-) ?

Heinz
http://www.bytedesigns.com/gmc/rambling.htm

You might have to press refresh if you have an inattentive browser.
And a caution... patience once you click on the thumbnails, the pics are
full size.

> >
> > No zerks here. Not sure if the threads cut in the hub for
> > the zerk fitting would make it more likely to crack or not.
>
> Just a point of information here - are we talking about zerks in the hubs
or
> in the knuckles? I've never heard of installing grease fittings in the
hubs
> and can't imagine where they would be located and how the grease would be
> channeled to the bearings. I have heard of grease fittings installed on
the
> knuckles, but have also been concerned about grease pressure forcing out
the
> inner seal.
>
> Patrick
>
 
>
> I probably need a show and tell lesson on what's what. Just
> to be sure there is no mis-information on my part I went
> out and snapped a couple of pics. Is that the hub or the
> knuckle :-) ?

The hub is the piece in the center with the wheel studs and brake rotor
attached. The knuckle is what the caliper, ball joints, and tie rod end
attach to. I'm not trying to split semantic hairs here. As I said earlier,
I was confused how you could put zerks in the hubs.

HTH,
Patrick
 
> Is that the hub or the knuckle :-) ?

It's a knuckle - more appropriately called a "steering knuckle", which
probably makes its identity more understandable.

Patrick
 
Thanks very much Patrick.
Web page adjusted and I'll try and adjust my memory chip as well :-)

Heinz

> > Is that the hub or the knuckle :-) ?
>
> It's a knuckle - more appropriately called a "steering knuckle", which
> probably makes its identity more understandable.
>
> Patrick
>
 
Patrick:

Makes you wonder how we understand each other whenever terminology is used
inappropriately or offhandedly???. It's tough sometimes and puzzling other
times!

Paul Bartz

From: Patrick.Flowers
[mailto:Patrick.Flowers]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 1999 1:01 PM

>
> I probably need a show and tell lesson on what's what. Just
> to be sure there is no mis-information on my part I went
> out and snapped a couple of pics. Is that the hub or the
> knuckle :-) ?

The hub is the piece in the center with the wheel studs and brake rotor
attached. The knuckle is what the caliper, ball joints, and tie rod end
attach to. I'm not trying to split semantic hairs here. As I said earlier,
I was confused how you could put zerks in the hubs.

Patrick
 
Patrick,

You are correct. The grease gets to the bearings on the hubs, but
the zerks are mounted in the knuckles on those that I have seen. Sorry if
I confused anyone.

Zak

>Just a point of information here - are we talking about zerks in the hubs or
>in the knuckles? I've never heard of installing grease fittings in the hubs
>and can't imagine where they would be located and how the grease would be
>channeled to the bearings. I have heard of grease fittings installed on the
>knuckles, but have also been concerned about grease pressure forcing out the
>inner seal.
>
>Patrick
 
You sure can damage a seal with too much pressure.

Helicopters get greased frequently.

A trick sometimes used is to slide something under the seal to open an
escape path for the old grease while adding fresh grease.

It should be a soft material to prevent damage to the seal.

Plastic tie wraps are often used.

You observe the condition of the old grease as it escapes and know when to
quit adding fresh grease.

Don Miller

>I have heard of grease fittings installed on the
> knuckles, but have also been concerned about grease pressure forcing out
the
> inner seal.
>
> Patrick
 
I had an excellent suggestion off-net (Thank You) which is to loosen the
retainer nut some and to turn/wiggle the wheel while applying grease and
hence supplying an escape path.

Perhaps my current careful greasing is nothing more than a placebo, but as
it has worked sofar I'm keeping it up, perhaps with a loose retainer nut
next time.

Heinz

>
>
> You sure can damage a seal with too much pressure.
>
> Helicopters get greased frequently.
>
> A trick sometimes used is to slide something under the seal to open an
> escape path for the old grease while adding fresh grease.
>
> It should be a soft material to prevent damage to the seal.
>
> Plastic tie wraps are often used.
>
> You observe the condition of the old grease as it escapes and know when to
> quit adding fresh grease.
>
> Don Miller
>
>
>
> >I have heard of grease fittings installed on the
> > knuckles, but have also been concerned about grease pressure forcing out
> the
> > inner seal.
> >
> > Patrick
>
>
>
 
>I had an excellent suggestion off-net (Thank You) which is to loosen the
>retainer nut some and to turn/wiggle the wheel while applying grease and
>hence supplying an escape path.

Why not add a second plug, on the opposite side of the knuckle, to allow
the old grease out? That way there would be no excess pressure build-up.
New grease would enter on one side, the old would exit on the other side.

Dave
Ann Arbor, MI.
73 Sequoia (26'/455/EFI/HEI)
 
I'm kinda' chicken when it comes to drilling holes in the knuckle. I may
change my mind (get braver) once I see mine apart and close-up at the next
front brg. mtce.

Heinz

> >I had an excellent suggestion off-net (Thank You) which is to loosen
the
> >retainer nut some and to turn/wiggle the wheel while applying grease
and
> >hence supplying an escape path.
>
> Why not add a second plug, on the opposite side of the knuckle, to allow
> the old grease out? That way there would be no excess pressure build-up.
> New grease would enter on one side, the old would exit on the other side.
>
>
> Dave
> Ann Arbor, MI.
> 73 Sequoia (26'/455/EFI/HEI)
>
>
 
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