Greasing a-arm

[aka1004]

I was going to let dealer do this but may its time I start doing this.

1. Are grease guns universal?
2. What kinda grease if brp grease is not available?
3. How do you know when old grease has been squeezed out? Will it squeeze out of other end? If there was a other end....
4. Would grease squeeze out when you pump enough in?
5. Any other things to grease beside the 8 points on a- arm?
I saw this pistol type gun with hose extension for $22.

Thank you in advance.

 

[fastfraser]

The Zerk fittings are standard .Only know of the 8 on the arms. I first wipe the Zerk fitting to clean off any foreign materials, attach my grease gun with a 24 " flex line with a 90 degree fitting on the end, gently pump until I feel pressure, give it two or three full pumps , wipe the Zerk fitting as well as the area all around to clean-up grease that has oozed out.

Its best to use the same type of grease that BRP uses so that it is compatible, failing that you should pump enough grease into the Zerks to flush the old grease out. ( which makes a huge mess ) Ask me how I know ?

Sorry I don't know what grease BRP uses .

 

[joet82]

I would have to take it out of the grease gun to see what kind that I have and use on my Can-Am ATV. But the dealership should no doubt know.

 

[Big Arm]

I just bought my grease gun, two 12" extension hoses and a tube of grease the day before yesterday, so I could start on mine. I already had purchased the 90 degree fittings.
I had read here where Scotty and others use Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease, so that is what I went with. I couldn't find it in the smaller tube, so I just purchased a new standard size gun. Might as well start with all new.
As fastfraser said, pump enought grease in to flush out all of the old grease.
The dealer here in Tucson, said they use a good grade of marine waterproof synthetic grease, and showed me a small tube that they use. It wasn't BRP grease, so I went with the Mobil 1 for half the price, they wanted.
I'm sure you'll do fine changing your own.

 

[aka1004]

Thank you guys and is that 90* adapter a must? Is it sold at auto parts?

 

[Big Arm]

I purchased a few 90 degree zerks, 6mm (I think)
and also a 90 degree adapter, for the straight zerks.

 

[aka1004]

So those 90* nipples go on the a-arm grease points and you need the adapter utilize them?
I am guesssing not enough room for regular fitting?
I know this may be simple to a lot of people but I've never greased anything before. My mechanical skill was opening my wallet before I got my spyder so I have come a long way but still a long way to go.
Thank you.

Oh wait??? If you got the 90* zerks but also 90* adapter for straight ones, that means I need either the adapter OR the 90* zerk for tight space?

 

[Bob Denman]

Somebody in here mentioned Marine Grade waterproof grease... :agree: :thumbup:
But... Any grease will always beat none at all... pps:

 

[NancysToy]

So those 90* nipples go on the a-arm grease points and you need the adapter utilize them?
I am guesssing not enough room for regular fitting?
I know this may be simple to a lot of people but I've never greased anything before. My mechanical skill was opening my wallet before I got my spyder so I have come a long way but still a long way to go.
Thank you.

The regular fittings stick straight up. Some are inaccessible without modifying the bodywork or removing the trunk. The right angle fittings replace those difficult to access ones, but may require removal of the trunk or bodywork modification to install. The right angle adapter will come in from a right angle and attach to a straight fitting. The room may still be tight with some adapters, requiring some grinding of the adapter to let it slide firmly in place.

 

[NancysToy]

Somebody in here mentioned Marine Grade waterproof grease... :agree: :thumbup:
But... Any grease will always beat none at all... pps:

Do not mix synthetic grease with other grease types! Do not mix any different types of greases. Mixing can (and usually will) cause the grease to break down, and your lubrication could readily fail. The BRP grease is a waterproof synthetic grease, and that is what should be used unless the fitting and bushing are completely dismantled , cleaned, and the grease type changed. Even then, you would be changing to something other than what is specified. What is your warranty worth?

 

[AMTJIM]

There's another type fitting for the gun that also comes in different angles, it's a high pressure needle point more commonly used for the flush surface type zerk. Both zerks work the same and the high pressure attachment can be used on both types, much easier to work with in tight areas than the standard zerk attachment that is rigid and uses up alot of space and has to lock over the zerk, pressure from the gun pushes the little ball back from the seal to allow grease to enter. The high pressure needle fitting pushes the ball seal back and then you squeeze to dispense grease. You do need to keep some constant hand pressure and find the right angle so they mate and seat and the grease doesn't leak out the point of contact, but into and through the greased joint.