Hello all. While I have the bed off and redoing the back half. I'd like to install grease fittings in the ends of the springs to keep the new poly bushings from making noise in the future. Since the bushings have a gap in the middle when installed, a zerk fitting in the end of the spring should work. I've seen it mentioned here on the forum and it looks pretty straight forward. Drill, tap and install. Any gotcha's I should watch out for. I'm thinking a straight fitting rather than angled, and a little patience. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

It should be just that easy. Keep in mind, spring steel is HARD... and gonna be fun to drill thru.

 

Never thought about placing a grease zerk to a spring, usually they are on the bolt.

 

I'm a lover of poly bushings and use them all the time. If you are in the process of installing the bushings, all I've done is grease the new poly bushings during the install process and be done with it. I've not encountered any squeaks afterwards at all. I use this type of grease for them, readily available at Harbor Freight - https://www.harborfreight.com/85-gra...dge-93744.html

 

Thanks for responding. I know it's going to be a chore drilling. I have my trusty Craftsman carbide drill index ready to go. I have tap and die sets in both metric and standard sizes. Do grease fittings need a special tap, or will I be all set?

I have the Formula 5 grease Energy suspension recommends, but I'm a worrier. I just know these are going to start squeaking down the road.

 

I'll be curious to know how it goes. Ideally if you're using solid carbide I'd want to do it in a mill or dp. If you're trying carbide-tipped masonry bits that's different and probably ok in a hand drill. Easy to trash solid carbide in a hand tool.

AFAIK zerks are just standard thread, often 1/4" or M6 but of course you can buy a lot of options.

Post up results and pics!

 

I think the zerks are NPT, are they not?? Tapered Threads?

 

Up to the 1950's and into the early 1960's, many springs, especially on trucks had grease fittings on the spring leaves and shackles. Just out of curiosity once, while I was servicing a '57 Chevy 3600 truck, I started counting grease fittings. Front end and universal joints for sure. Springs? Yep. I think I counted 70+ fittings.

There were also oil ports too. I'm got a '55 Chrysler and the first thing I did when I started fooling with it was put oil in the oil ports on the generator and distributor.

 

That was when we built things to last! Now it cost to much for them to it. Non greasable components will last past the warranty period. After that it's not our problem.
I think it depends on the fitting, I seen em all. Usually they work if you use a standard/metric tap(depends on the thread on the fitting). They make press in fittings also(barbed). If you are drilling spring steel i would get them. good luck trying to tap it. Need to know the size drill to use beforehand. Problem with them is if the fit is not tight enough the grease pressure pushes them out.

 

Actually yes I've seen them both ways. I prefer the straight threads because hand-tapping NPT is dumb