Accessing Grease Fittings

[Skeeter Madness]

How are you guys accessing the zerk fittings on the front of your engine (mine is a '04 175 HPDI), located directly behind the steering cylinder? I've tried everything and am to the point of having to remove the steering cylinder for access.

How do you go about removing the cylinder?

This sure seems to be a bad design feature if one has remove the cylinder to lubricate the tilt pin.

Thanks.

[jbfbass]

try trimming your engine all the way down, that should help you out..........

[Skeeter Madness]

Thanks John, but been there and done that and it didn't help.

[Won Hunglo]

Try a grease gun with a flex hose while trimmed down.

[AB]

They make an adaptor that you can purchase for your grease gun that will fit in there. Check your local Napa autoparts, they will not stock it but can order it for you.

[Vyper202]

Replace the fitting with a 45 degree one!

[Skeeter Madness]

Duh! Thanks Viper, I haven't thought of that one, but it should work if there is space to screw it in without hitting anything. I really appreciate all the feedback guys, as I now have a few more options to try.

[sheeterhdip225]

Use the one in the back it will grease the unit just fine.....This was told to me my one of the dealers Mech......

[Skeeter Madness]

Thanks 225. I double checked and cannot swap them for a 45 or 90 degree zerk as there is no room to install them. I did grease the back fittings by tilting the motor pretty high for access.

[bcp3vmax]

Are yo talking about the zerks at the tilt tube? If so, ihad same problem! Tilt up , Tillt down, flexable hose, could not figure it out! Hyd steering cylinder wasin the way. Stood around cuss'n & scratch'n my head for couple hours till I saw the "light"!! Just turn motor all the way to side. Cyl. moved clear of zerk alowing enough room below steering rod to insert grease gun!!! Felt awfully stupid!!!

[Skeeter Madness]

I'll definately give that a try! I'm OK with being ignorant as long as someone can teach me how to do it. Thanks.

[Skeeter Madness]

VMAX:
Don't I feel like a fool. You're right...turn the motor and you're there.

[Dave D]

Oh my god. I feel like a dope. I've been reading this thread laughing because I have the same problem. Haven't had a chance to get to a Parts store to order a smaller fitting for my grease gun. Now I'll go home tonight and try turning my motor!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

[PushNit]

Dope aint the word for it. I bought the fitting!!!! And I thought I was well you know, now that I looked at it, I was getting ready to rip someone for putting it on that way. Its all Vmax's fault he should have gotten on here quicker.

[FishinSwabbie]

You're allowed to move the motor to do maintenance?

[BuzzB8]

[PushNit]

Buzz you ever been made to look like a clown. Chuckle Chuckle you all

[1kickerfish]

bcp3vmax you the man. The fact is that all you guys make it possible for me to do the simple stuff. I only feel half as dumb as I use to be, because today I was smart enough to check BBC before I started taking the steering linkage apart. Go ahead and laugh. I have just enough tools and lack of knowledge to do it. We may not be the brightest bulbs on the tree, but how about the mechanic that said in an earlier post that lubricating one fitting was good enough. That is why I try to do the stuff myself. Thanks again guys. I owe you another one.

[Sigma]

I can tilt mine up, down, left, right and still cant reach it so I just remove the bolt for the steering cylinder and put a little lube on it as well.