Author Topic: Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?  (Read 3628 times)

Iconic

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Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?
« on: July 24, 2011, 21:37:40 »
I read on this site that when greasing the zerk on the driveshaft, you need to pump grease in until it comes out a hole on the other side (a grease zerk mounted inside out).
I finally got around to greasing this driveshaft zerk and it took 20 "shots" of grease from a normal hand held grease gun. No grease came out the other side but I figured I better stop.
It looked dry on the zerk.
Can anyone give me some insight on this?
Does it take more than 20 shots if very dry?
Is the grease going somewhere it shouldn't?
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
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Benz Dr.

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Re: Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2011, 03:30:28 »
Unless it's leaking out somewhere you probably need to put more in there. It must have been very dry if that's the case.
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Iconic

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Re: Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2011, 17:34:05 »
Thank you Dan.
Do you think the capacity is that large?
Does anyone have a drawing of the area so we can get a perspective on volume and see where it can be leaking to if it is leaking?
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

thelews

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Re: Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2011, 17:56:53 »
If grease starts coming through the floorboards, you've probably put in too much.
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John - Wisconsin
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wwheeler

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Re: Grease into driveshaft grease zerk: how much?
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2011, 20:04:36 »
Right after I bought my W111, I pumped grease until I was blue in the face. I reached the same conclusion as you and stopped. I read more about it and decided to give it another "shot" (sorry for the pun).

It took several more pumps but FINALLY some horrible looking grease came out of the check. I doubt that had been done in ages. I am not entirely sure about the depth of the cavity. But now that mine is filled, I just pump a couple of shots and the grease comes out the check. I do not see any grease escaping, so it must be captured.

The vent is actually a spring loaded check valve that only allows grease to escape when it reaches a certain pressure. Based on the ring of old grease on the driveshaft tunnel right in line with the vent, a little grease probably oozes out when spinning.

So pump it up with confidence!
Wallace
Texas
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