Search the Community

Thinking I would replace the old grease zerks on the front spindle/upper control arm area of the 46 Plymouth. At 1st I thought all these original type zerks were bad because you couldn't see a check ball in the hole opening of the zerk - but now after messing with them a bit, I'm guessing that they were just made differently back then - In that they must have another internal way of holding the grease in once the grease gun is removed from the zerk. If this is true - it still would seem like a modern zerk would be better as it would keep all contaminants from entering the zerk and then being pumped on inside when you do add grease...... In respect to the above, I have ordered multiple packages of 1/8 - 27 grease zerks and the threads seem to be a bit different from these old original zerks. (They don't just thread into the hole like the old zerks do). My 46 Plymouth Parts Book lists the zerks as : 1/8 taper thread... Granted, I have been moving really slow on this to avoid experiencing one of those "poopie ca ca" moments....that said, when I start threading the modern 1/8 - 27 grease zerks into the hole by hand, the new ones will only go in about a single turn,...where the old zerks will screw in about 4 full turns and seat themselves nicely in the hole. These old zerks look to be made of stainless steel, and when I do a stare and compare of the threads to the new zerks,...they look to be a match (comparing the tips of the threads to each other). The new zerk threads do however seem to be more pronounced, (like the threads are cut and not rolled and they extend out to sharp points),...while the threads on the old zerks look more like rounded rolled type threads without the sharp points out on the tip of the threads. Figured I better reach out to my forum members before I just grab a 7/16 box end and try wrenching these new zerks in. All reply's welcome, I appreciate your time and help. Steve