The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => A7 & A10 Engine => Topic started by: pdg on 02.01. 2018 19:23

Title: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: pdg on 02.01. 2018 19:23
Hi everyone,

I've been trying to grease my plunger suspension using a Wanner grease gun, but the grease simply oozes past the nipple, and nothing passes through (I've taken the nipple off the suspension to check this). The ballbearing is free.

Does anyone have any advise about how best to grease the suspension, please - e.g. gun that fits the nipple, perhaps replacing the nipple, ...?

Many thanks.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: LynnLegend on 02.01. 2018 19:30
Too... Much... Innuendo...

(https://www.maggotdrowning.com/forum/uploaded/trentsman/2014118134756_2ir5jlz.png)
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: a10 gf on 02.01. 2018 19:43
Some old petrified residues inside, blocking whatever attempts to pass through the grease nipple ?
(Am supposing the greasegun has a good fit)
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 02.01. 2018 19:59
I seem to recall placing a piece of rag over those type of nipples to make a seal.
What about temporarily changing the nipple for one of those high pressure clip-on types?
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: morris on 02.01. 2018 21:01
Grease going past the nipple usually indicates an ill fitting grease gun.
The other possibility is to thick grease or hardened grease in the suspension.
For the latter, the only solution is taking it apart for a clean and re-grease.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 02.01. 2018 22:10
Grease going past the nipple usually indicates an ill fitting grease gun.
The earlier grease guns had a concave surface that matched the old style nipple. Maybe pdg is using the later design gun that has a chuck arrangement for the nipple.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Black Sheep on 02.01. 2018 22:16
I replaced my original grease nipples with modern ones. No problems adding grease. You want to keep the plungers well greased - to the point of grease appearing after a run. As well as lubricating, the plungers being full of grease have a damping effect.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 02.01. 2018 22:33

 You want to keep the plungers well greased - to the point of grease appearing after a run. As well as lubricating, the plungers being full of grease have a damping effect.
GB makes mental note to lubricate his plungers, (ooh err Missus!)
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: pdg on 03.01. 2018 10:58
Many thanks for all the comments. The nipples are completely clear, and so is the plunger unit (rebuilt). The problem is that the Wanner grease gun nozzle is too big. It has three jaws which can't make a small enough clamp onto the nipple. What grease guns are others using?
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 03.01. 2018 11:16
Ah, as I suspected you are using the wrong type of gun for those nipples. The early nipples just rely on a concave depression in the gun nozzle. What about getting some newer type nipples, (see attached picture from Draganfly) to suit your gun? You can change them back afterwards if originality is important.


Have a look at this old grease gun on EBay UK. There are plenty on EBay for small money.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/old-vintage-tecalemit-grease-gun-tool-kit/222768448675?hash=item33de08c4a3:g:2soAAOSwxqpaNqtX (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/old-vintage-tecalemit-grease-gun-tool-kit/222768448675?hash=item33de08c4a3:g:2soAAOSwxqpaNqtX)

Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: pdg on 03.01. 2018 11:26
Many thanks. Do you mean this type: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METRIC-IMPERIAL-STRAIGHT-ANGLED-GREASE-GUN-PUMP-NIPPLES-ZERKS-BSP-BSF-UNF-HEX/282770512985?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=582053230528&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Rex on 03.01. 2018 11:50
That's an expensive kit full of stuff you'll likely never use. I'd just buy the ones you need for the BSA, which (from memory) are 1/4 BSF, then the Wanner will work just fine.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: duTch on 03.01. 2018 12:47

 
Quote
Hi everyone,

....................... but the grease simply oozes past the nipple, and nothing passes through (I've taken the nipple off the suspension to check this). The ballbearing is free.

Does anyone have any advise about how best to grease the suspension, please - e.g. gun that fits the nipple, perhaps replacing the nipple, ...?

Many thanks.   

 
Quote
Does anyone have any advise

 ^^no^^, I have no **ADVICE**, but have pondered the same, but I see you've been **advised**.... *smile*

 moving on;
Quote
..... the plungers being full of grease have a damping effect...

 How do you figure that ?

 I reckon GB's idea sounds most plausible, and I have a small stash of those G-Guns in my treasure trove, might dig 'em out but not likely that I'll use 'em.
   I had a small list of stuff with those on for B-Macc@ Priory mags, but waiting now for resumption of trading and decent exchange rate... *pull hair out*
  My setup is not stock, having no external covers, due to using custom Stainless Steel springs so needed to make some internal (beneath the springs)covers, using some hydraulic seals to attempt to contain the grease...which brings me to the grease question *evil*;

 The guy at Ludowici who sold me the seals recommended a teflon grease; reckoned it'd be slippery as the 'proverbial'- don't have the detail right now, but am wondering what kind of calamity I can create by throwing it into the mix  :-\ >:D, ie; what gease do others use *????*




Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 03.01. 2018 13:02
I just used what I had on the shelf, LM grease.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Greybeard on 03.01. 2018 13:05
Many thanks. Do you mean this type: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METRIC-IMPERIAL-STRAIGHT-ANGLED-GREASE-GUN-PUMP-NIPPLES-ZERKS-BSP-BSF-UNF-HEX/282770512985?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=582053230528&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/METRIC-IMPERIAL-STRAIGHT-ANGLED-GREASE-GUN-PUMP-NIPPLES-ZERKS-BSP-BSF-UNF-HEX/282770512985?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=582053230528&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649)
Yes, that is the clip-on type. Draganfly will sell them singly.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: RoyC on 03.01. 2018 13:10

 
Quote
what gease do others use *????*



I use Castrol LM because that's all I've got.  ;D
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: pdg on 03.01. 2018 13:28
Perfect.

Many thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Plunger grease maintenance
Post by: Black Sheep on 03.01. 2018 14:02
Local agricultural dealers have cheap packs of BSF grease nipples. Or at least my one has. If your plungers are shrouded and the shrouds are full of grease, as the plungers move they are squidging grease around the place rather than the usual air/rusty water mix. Grease being higher viscosity than air/rusty water provides a hint of damping. Just a hint but better than none at all.