Snapped Off Grease Fitting

[Wamsutta]

Snapped off a grease fitting in a brand new ball joint I was getting ready to install. The ball joints come with the grease fittings separately; meaning, you have to install the grease fitting yourself. It was going in real hard before in snapped. I couldn't use a 1/4'' drive spin handle; I had to use a 1/4'' drive ratchet because it was going in so hard. It takes an 8mm socket to drive it, so I think maybe the thread size might be 6mm, but I'm not sure. How are grease fittings sized? The ball joint has a threaded hole, which tells me the grease fitting is not the self tapping type. Right now the hole is about 7/64'', which is the inside diameter of the broken grease fitting. Irwin-Hanson has an ST-1 screw extractor requiring a 9/64'' drill bit, so I might try that first, but I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[OHMS LAW]

Try the extractor if that doesn't work drill and tap a new hole or grease with a needle attachment

 

[larry_g]

you obviously need a zerk fitting tool

lg
no neat sig line

 

[2drx4]

you obviously need a zerk fitting tool

lg
no neat sig line

Huh, didn't know about those.

Well, now I 'need' one too

 

[Wamsutta]

you obviously need a zerk fitting tool

lg
no neat sig line

Model LINCOLN G904
Fitting Tool
For use with 1/4-28 threads.
For removing broken fittings. Includes thread tap.
Grease Fitting Tool, For Use With 1/4-28 Threads

Nice try. Looks like I'll need something that works on smaller Zerk fittings. Thanks anyway.

 

[Wamsutta]

Have you guys tried one of these?

http://www.aldn.com/Pages/grabitMicro.php

 

[Olafur]

Good torx bits are quite effective extractors. Find a size larger than the hole and hammer it in - unscrew.

 

[CZ_Greatwrench]

x2 on the torx bit, a lot of times it works better than an extractor

Its not the most ethical thing to do but you could take it back to the part's store and say "It came out the box like that!"

 

[Wamsutta]

Hammered in a T-15 Torx, got it in there pretty tight too. Hooked a magnetic screwdriver up to it and the bit spun right out. It was a nice try though, and at least it didn't make it any worse. I might mention that a brand new HSS 1/8'' drill bit didn't even make a dent in it. Must be some hard steel they make those out of.

 

[bwringer]

x2 on the torx bit, a lot of times it works better than an extractor

Its not the most ethical thing to do but you could take it back to the part's store and say "It came out the box like that!"

I think it would be perfectly ethical to take it back -- it's a brand-new part, but for some reason you're supposed to complete assembly (no idea why they can't be arsed to install the grease fitting at the factory...).

When you attempted to do so, the threads in the ball joint or on the fitting turned out to be defective. The threads bound up and the grease fitting broke.

You could take it back and try to find one that's not defective. Or install a new grease fitting if that's easier -- most decent hardware stores have a drawer of SAE and metric fittings.

 

[slickstysix]

I've also used a chainsaw file, or similar small file, as an extractor to get out small items like this. Hammer the tang into the broken stem and use a wrench on the remaining tang stem to back it out.

 

[71goldss]

I've also used a chainsaw file, or similar small file, as an extractor to get out small items like this. Hammer the tang into the broken stem and use a wrench on the remaining tang stem to back it out.

^ I've used the same method (small file) on many occasion at work! Works every time!