My 1996 T100 4x4 has 6 zerk fittings on the rear [main] shaft: 2 in the rear, 3 in the middle, and one at the front.

It looked like the single front fitting was having issues so I went to replace it - only the 7mm socket that easily removes the others just spun around this fitting. Might have rounded off the hex but - is this location some special design or can I just grab the nipple with pliers etc and turn it out ?? Hard to see since the body of the fitting is recessed between 2 shoulders on the shaft coupling. Kind of ironic to have threads on a grease fitting seize up . . . <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Brakleen then kroil and try again?

It's up on a little block in the middle of the spider, right? Try unthreading that instead.

FWIW cleaning them first and then a little poke at the keeper bearing in the zerk if the grease doesn't pass or if it spits back out has kept mine going as long as the joints.

If you're getting a funny bead of clean grease coming out around the cap - it doesn't look even or seems to squeeze most of it out one side of the cap - I might start to consider bad rollers.

Thanks Adam - yes it sits up on that little block; actually I noticed grease squeezing out from under that block? Never saw that before; was just going to pull the zerk to see if there might be dried grease or debris blocking something inside. The zerk itself seems to be fine; i am guessing the hex just got rounded off. Can probably pull it easy with vice grips or pliers if I get ambitious.

Try putting an all-16ths wrench on the piece under the zerk and snugging that back up. I think the socket in the spider is threaded, making it kind of a 2-piece fitting...I think. I've only had to do two ujoints on mine. The last one I bought was set up, and it's been too long since the first for me to remember.

I had issues in that spot on my front driveshaft. When it was built, somehow that block got knocked loose and had to be tacked in. Ran that way for years, though, before it sheared out completely in a pit somewhere the summer before last.

Good thinking - did not know if that block was threaded in or not. b