Grease fitting & cleaning them

[Bob G ✝︎]

 My question is two apart & and I hope Joe Alexander is listening.
1) What is the best way to clean and check the zerk grease fitting on the chassie of the W113 to make sure that grease is being accepted into the fitting?
2) If the grease fitting are dirty and have caked with old dried grease & dirt What are the options to try and clean these zerk fitting and perge the sedement from them to allow new grease to flow freely to the needed joints other than trying to replace the fitting.

Bob Geco

[Cees Klumper]

This was addressed a long time ago on Yahoo! but I don't think really resolved. One tip is to always clean the fittings from dirt etc, to avoid pumping dirt into it. You can take (most/all?) fittings right off, and clean them out or replace them. Still, sometimes they won't take grease in which case some suggested using a heat gun to try and soften the grease inside and make it more fluid, so the old stuff can be pushed out by fresh grease. Since my fittings all take grease, I have not tried this.

[ja17]

Hello Bob and Cees,
Here is the method I use; first determine if the problem is in the fitting or the joint itself. Remove the problem grease fitting by unscrewing it. Attempt to grease the fitting by itself. If it does not accept grease, replace the fitting or soak it in solvent to free-up. If the fitting is ok , then the problem is in the joint. Dried out grease, dirt and rust may solidify in the joint. Try digging as much of the solids out of the fitting hole as possible. Next apply some solvent like WD40 into the fitting hole (use the little red tube). Re-install the grease fitting and attempt to grease again. If no luck heat may help, but be very careful not to burn the rubber seals. As last resort remove the fitting one more time and soak down the joint with WD40 replace the fitting and drive the car for a day or two to see if the solvent loosens up the solids. Attempt to grease the joint again. If it accepts grease be sure to purge all the solvent out with plenty of fresh grease! Dis-assembly may be required if all else fails. Good Luck


Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Bob G ✝︎]

Thank you Joe Alexander & Cees Klumper for your susjections. Perhaps we can add this into our manual since it is an important service item . I want you also to now before I asked this question I did a search on the yahoo site under luberation of grease fitting 280SL. I can up with Zero replys.

Bob Geco

[Bob G ✝︎]

While we are on the subject of grease, I recall some where in one of the Star publications mention of a brand grease Mercedes-Benz recommends? What are your responses on synthetics like Red Line grease?

Bob Geco

[rwmastel]

Bob,
Regarding using the search feature on the Yahoo site, it is not very good.  I would use a single word or two at the most.  Also, it brings up a list of "hits" for your search, but you may have to click Next to see more hits.  It does not show them all at once.

Regarding the grease types, I'm not sure there is any preferred type.  I have been told "any grease is better than no grease", so make sure all fittings get grease.  Maybe someone else can start a discussion on grease types or brands.

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420