Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: rascott on Saturday,November 06, 2021, 11:05:17 AM
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on my '69 s2-
i have been unsuccessful at greasing the u-joints on the drive axles.
i can't get my grease guns to fit onto the zerks- not enough room to get the nozzle on 'em.
any tip to make this happen?
all the grease gun fittings i'm finding look just like what i have.
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There are longer zerk fittings available which allow the gun to attach to.
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thanks for that.
it seems the route i will take.
what first looked like an easy service has become more involved.
just tried removing the zerk and using a rubber tipped adapter on the grease gun.
last time this was done was probably 20+ years ago(last reg. mabe 1985), and the "grease" in the joints may be cake- i see no sign of oozing......
i may have to learn how to service those u-joints.
how hard could that be? haha
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If you're only trying to get the car moving short term OK.
Otherwise I would change all the u joints over 20 years old.
Grease condition questionable.
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For now, use a needle grease adapter:
https://www.amazon.ca/Performance-Tool-W54216-Grease-Adapter/dp/B000N321UQ
When you next change the u-joints use SKF joints as there small ones has the nipple in the center of one of the caps.
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Another difference in the language between the two sides of the pond.
In the UK they are known as grease nipples.
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They call them grease nipples over here as well.
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I have several different adapters for all different angles . Aircraft vendors have them.
Dakazman
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They call them grease nipples over here as well.
Zerk = nipple
Trunk = boot
Hood = bonnet
Fender = bumper
Gas = petrol
Tire = tyre
Bushing = bush
Stick shift = gear lever
Wrench = spanner
Flashlight = torch
Headers = exhaust manifold
Muffler = silencer
Rotor = disc
E brake = hand brake
Any more differences between the two sides?
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They call them grease nipples over here as well.
Zerk = nipple
Trunk = boot
Hood = bonnet
Fender = bumper
Gas = petrol
Tire = tyre
Bushing = bush
Stick shift = gear lever
Wrench = spanner
Flashlight = torch
Headers = exhaust manifold
Muffler = silencer
Rotor = disc
E brake = hand brake
Any more differences between the two sides?
World Series = North America 😁
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Football?
Soccer?
😂
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I was trying to stick to car related differences. There would be a whole dictionary of all the words.
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Hot = Live (wiring)
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Ground = Earth
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i appreciate the responses, have flailed at it a bit more and visited my local parts stores.
haven't found any longer grease nipples yet, but will include the local airport on my next run.
i suspect these are original joints, so replacement may be the best solution.
those skf joints sound like the way to go....
thnx
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This will do the trick as well:
https://www.amazon.com/Milton-S-3210-Needle-Nose-Adaptor/dp/B01A7QKVO6
You press the tip of the needle onto the ball of the grease fitting. Bit fiddly but it works well.
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I second JB's needle tip. works well, though fiddly.
Also, don't the yokes that hold the U-joints have a couple of indentations that have to be assembled next to the grease fitting so a regular grease tip can reach them?
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i saw that adapter in my travels, but didn't recognize it's potential. now i will get it and fiddle about.
i will also clean the grease i've squirted all over the place to get a better look at things.
i do notice some shape on one side of yoke- i feel blind as i try to see and reach into the area at the same time and pump the gun also..
the little rescue continues, and is running well enough that i may use it for an adventure this coming week.
mabe
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Since the joints are always at some angle, rotating the axle might position the joint and nipple at an angle that is better suited for attaching the grease gun. You can also lift the car, to get some help from the drooping suspension in that regard.
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Yes, the half-shafts have a quite subtle scooped out area on one ear at each end. Since the half-shafts are usually painted black, these scoops aren't immediately obvious.
This means you need to assemble the U-joints so the grease nipples are positioned at the scoop.
I just used long grease nipples like these from Rimmer Bros ($3.38).
Should be able to get them from any bearing supplier.
https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-144825