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Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 5:06 pm
by 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 :roll: :pullhair:
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 :pullhair:
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.

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:46 pm
by Gordy
The first link is for 1/4" fittings / zerks. Use a 1/4- 28 tap.

:cheers:
Gordy

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 7:19 pm
by 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

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:21 pm
by MattA
Thanks guys. Looks like #3 (0.213") or 7/32" (0.218") will work for 1/4-28 tap.

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:13 am
by propane1
Never heard of a grease nipple drive fitting.

Noel

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:04 am
by DavidBarkey
MattA wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:21 pm 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

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 6:07 am
by DavidBarkey
Propane57 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:13 am 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

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:10 pm
by 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).

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2021 9:26 pm
by 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. :45:

Re: Front axle grease fitting replacement

Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2022 8:18 am
by 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!

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