Front axle grease fitting replacement

[MattA]

My 4016's front center axle grease fitting popped out yesterday while greasing my tractor. Initially it looked like the threads were stripped so I took a trip to the local tractor supply and bought:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005
However they were clearly too big. Fortunately I did not open them. After doing some research I found the factory grease fitting (PN: 219-404) is actually a 3/16" drive in fitting. I tried gently driving the old fitting back in but it popped back out when I attempted to grease the front axle. I took another trip to tractor supply and exchanged the previous fittings for 3/16" drive fittings:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005
The new 3/16" drive fittings also popped right out when attempting to grease the front axle. Sounds like I'm making another trip to tractor supply to get threaded fittings
Can anyone make any recommendations? Go back and buy the first fittings? Anyone know what size tap is needed? Almost guaranteed I don't have the correct size drill bit at home
I just want to get my snowblower on this week while I'm on vacation before the freezing temps return. The problem there is choosing between my SB48 snowcaster and my Berco.

[Gordy]

The first link is for 1/4" fittings / zerks. Use a 1/4- 28 tap.


Gordy

[DavidBarkey]

Any time I work on one of these for the first time I remove and replace the grease fittings . 1/4 - 28 starting and bottoming taps and tap sockets get into most places with 1/4" ratchet .

Dave

[MattA]

Thanks guys. Looks like #3 (0.213") or 7/32" (0.218") will work for 1/4-28 tap.

[propane1]

Never heard of a grease nipple drive fitting.

Noel

[DavidBarkey]

Thanks guys. Looks like #3 (0.213") or 7/32" (0.218") will work for 1/4-28 tap.

Note , If you are doing it while still assembled grind 3/4 of the tip flat so it can cut deeper with out damaging the shaft or pin.
Use greases on the tip to hold chips . Do the same thing with the taps .

Dave

[DavidBarkey]

Never heard of a grease nipple drive fitting.

Noel

Neither had I until getting into Mowers ect. It was a labour cost saving thing when so much more was done by hand .

Dave

[MattA]

I replaced the grease fitting this afternoon. I ended up just pulling my aftermarket front axle pin out to drill, tap and clean out the hole. The grease fitting did loosen up while I was using the grease gun. I may just need to tighten it more. I didn't see much online for 1/4-28 grease fitting torque specs. The install went well otherwise. Very little wear on the aftermarket axle pin in the past 2 years (seller ebay id xetta).

[Eugen]

That's great Matt! Happy to see a happy ending to this. I'm pretty sure I'll need to address some of my zerks too, so it's handy to know what awaits me.

[Chad]

Good to hear Matt. Mine is quite loose as well, and I'm unable to tighten it. But it will still take grease so I'll leave it for now. Will come back to this thread down the road!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk