Grease warning questions....

[littletractorguy]

Okay, so, my $5.00 mini grease gun bit the dust, so I went out and bought a "real" one, and its raised some questions for me....

First of all, the tube of grease I bought has this warning on it:

"Do not mix greases of different soap types. Thoroughly remove old grease before applying".

Okay, so, I understand the part about what they WANT you to do, start with new grease on whatever you're greasing. But what the heck is a soap type? And, how do I tell what soap type my OLD grease was, since I don't think I have the tube any more... More importantly, how the heck am I going to remove all the grease that are in the bearing keepers on my trailer!?!?

Okay, now onto some other questions!

What the heck is THIS button for? Pressure release? Bleed valve?



And this fitting? Would this be for filling the little gun if I had a big pressure tank filled with grease?

[SonnyT]

Chances are your old grease was a Lithium based soap grease. Meaning it has some soap in it. I would make sure your new grease is Lithium based. Should say on the label.
1st button is to bleed air as you tighten gun/tube together after putting in a new cartridge so it doesn't get air locked.
2nd is for filling from a air powered grease pot. Never used it so I don't know if it actually works well or not.

[SonnyT]

Here is a pdf with a compatability chart. Although the chances are your grease is probably a Lithium based grease, which is most common for off-the-shelf grease.
http://www.mobilindustrial.com/IND/E...patibility.pdf

[flhusa1]

that second fitting is for refilling the gun without a cartridge. usually from a five gallon container with a hand pump on top. you slip the fitting into the pump female and as you pump the lever on your gun will extend out. the first fitting is a valve for air bound problems. i used a grease gun[s] for over ten years 40 hrs a week.

[Canawler]

And they're not kidding about the grease incompatibility. Mix the wrong types and it will almost literally turn to a watery mess.

[MacLawn]

Wow, Little, great questions!! I never knew that about soap in grease, and it turning to a watery mess if mixed. Makes me wonder how much stuff I have messed up over the years. Of course, all the grease I bought was just from local stores, Walmart, etc., so I guess it was the lithium type... I have got to get a good grease gun!

[littletractorguy]

Originally Posted by MacLawn

Wow, Little, great questions!! I never knew that about soap in grease, and it turning to a watery mess if mixed. Makes me wonder how much stuff I have messed up over the years. Of course, all the grease I bought was just from local stores, Walmart, etc., so I guess it was the lithium type... I have got to get a good grease gun!

You know, I got so nervous about mixing the greases, I never re-lubed the bearing buddies on my little trailer.... BUT I've made a 500 km round trip AND a 1000 km round trip with it now, and the hubs never even got warm.... So I'm gonna assume they were still well-lubed.... NOW I'll check it out, now that I have time...

[RustyPiston]

And just to further muddy things up.... not all online grease compatibility charts are in 100% agreement.
Also be aware that there are 3 types of lithium-based grease, Lithium, Lithium 12 Hydroxy, and Lithium Complex. While those 3 seem to be compatible with each other, ( according to the compatibilty charts I've seen), the Lithium Complex is compatible with the greatest number of other based type greases.
Bottom line--- If you find a grease that works well, stick with it. If you change the type or brand your using, keep a close watch on it for awhile. The internet is loaded with horror stories of people changing the brand of grease they use, grease runs out and bearing failure soon follows. It's rarely the fault of the grease if used for the applications it was designed for. It's a compatibility issue.

[ShelbyGT550]

Guess you learn something everyday, Never knew grease had compatability issues. hmmm

[mla2ofus]

Originally Posted by flhusa1

that second fitting is for refilling the gun without a cartridge. usually from a five gallon container with a hand pump on top. you slip the fitting into the pump female and as you pump the lever on your gun will extend out. the first fitting is a valve for air bound problems. i used a grease gun[s] for over ten years 40 hrs a week.

And if you want to change to bulk fill you have to remove the piston and flip the rubber over so the cup side is toward the grease. You also need to lock the follower rod in the piston and fill 'til the notch in the rod shows, NO FURTHER or you will get grease forced past the piston. I used grease guns most every day at work for 32 yrs.
Mike