Is this zerk broken?

[dje]

During greasing, I noticed that one of zerks on a stabilizer arm looks strange - specifically, I can't see the ball bearing at the tip of the zerk. I've attached a photo showing a normal zerk (left) and the weird one (right) - it's a bit hard to see, but where there should be a silver ball bearing at the center of the zerk, there's a hole with grease.

It seems like the bearing might have gotten pushed into the zerk and the spring isn't pushing it back into place.

Has anyone encountered this before and is there a fix, or should I just replace the zerk? I'm worried that dirt will get into the fitting.

 

[PHPaul]

Not broken, ball just depressed. Might let dirt/water in, no more than they cost I'd just replace it.

 

[bbxlr8]

Wipe it down, squirt of WD40 or similar, and a then shot of grease...?
I keep a multipack handy!

 

[John T]

Push on the ball with a prick punch to get it to seat back in place. (it's a ball bearing with a spring behind it)
Probably some crap in there preventing it from seating.

If the Zerk was bad It would not take grease and would make a mess for you.

Last resort, Replace it.

like mentioned above.

Edit,
They also make a pin point zerk fitting that comes in handy for situations like that.

 

[SDT]

During greasing, I noticed that one of zerks on a stabilizer arm looks strange - specifically, I can't see the ball bearing at the tip of the zerk. I've attached a photo showing a normal zerk (left) and the weird one (right) - it's a bit hard to see, but where there should be a silver ball bearing at the center of the zerk, there's a hole with grease.

It seems like the bearing might have gotten pushed into the zerk and the spring isn't pushing it back into place.

Has anyone encountered this before and is there a fix, or should I just replace the zerk? I'm worried that dirt will get into the fitting.

Just replace it.

 

[GeoHorn]

It may not be broken. The check-ball in that depicted on the right is merely a recessed check-ball (OR…it’s possible the check-spring is depressed or broken.) It’ll still work just fine.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

They are not all manufactured the exact same.
If you squirt grease into them and grease does not come squirting back out when you take off the grease gun, then it's fine.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Not broken, ball just depressed.

Maybe if we all gather around and give it a group hug, it will feel better?

Might let dirt/water in, no more than they cost I'd just replace it.

Yep.

 

[PHPaul]

Maybe if we all gather around and give it a group hug, it will feel better?

Cheaper than Zoloft!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

I'd pull the pin, disassemble, clean and inspect everything, re-lube and reinstall, then pump it up with grease. Never hurts to pull maintenance and see what's going on in there, at least for me it's educational and prolongs the life of that part, and from the lesson(s) learned prolongs the life of other parts. My pins take a beating, lube every 10 hours is not enough if I want to minimize wear, and I sure don't want to be replacing bushings when I could pump a little more grease.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I sure don't want to be replacing bushings when I could pump a little more grease.

Weird. Just weird. Strange way to live.....


You're supposed to ignore maintenance and then complain about the build quality!!

Get with the program!

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Cheaper than Zoloft!

Probably a lot more effective, too!

 

[JimDeL]

Just replace it. A two minute job and about a dollar expense. Then you'll know it's good.