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Pneumatic grease gun

Waxman

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MEP001

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I generally use the pistol-grip type, but I can see a pneumatic one being handy if you're pumping a large volume. The machines I used to work on only needed a tiny amount in each zerk.
 

mac

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I suppose it’s a good idea if you need one, which most automatics do. There are no grease zerks on the Istobal machines. They use the same technology as new cars. When was the last time you took your car in for an oil change and a grease job?
 

Waxman

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I like being able to grease the bearings. Just because bearings aren't grease-able ( sealed ) doesn't make them better. I think they got rid of grease fittings on cars so they could: a.) sell more parts ( bearings) and labor and b.) sell more new cars ..."sorry ma'am; you car needs all new wheel bearings. The cost is $800 including labor. Yes, buying a new car is smarter at this point, ma'am."
 

mac

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I’m sure there is some truth to that, but from my car experience I think they got it right. I put 300,000 miles on a Pontiac van and 226,000 on kia, all with no bearing issues.
 

PaulLovesJamie

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... with no bearing issues.
Well color me jealous. Lol, last time I did an oil & grease job was just a couple months ago. I've had to replace bearings about every other year. Yes thats multiple vehicles and a lot of 4x4 off road driving miles, but bearings are like brakes to me, a regular job. I've found that the aftermarket bearings last longer, and the greaseable ones are better.
 

OurTown

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Every bearing I have replaced has been run dry and almost all have been the "sealed" type. Rarely does a bearing have to be replaced if it is properly lubed. Regular maintenance might be quicker (and easier to schedule) than a repair. Why is it that OEM ball joints and tie rod ends are sealed but if you buy a quality aftermarket brand like Moog they have grease fittings? Our fifth wheel has Dexter axles with sealed Nev-R-Lube bearings. You can't check the lube in them every year when inspecting your brakes. Instead you are supposed to wait until they start growling like a bearing would in your car to indicate it is time to replace. Except it is a trailer and you probably won't hear it over your diesel truck noise. There are nightmare stories of bearings getting hot and ruining the axles. A few years ago I decided to replace them as a preventative measure. The four of them cost $600 and my 20 ton press barely got them out. After replacing them I chiseled out the seals (they are steel) to see the condition of the lube. Three were fine but one was dry and the bearing was a little discolored. Dodged a bullet on that one. I'll take bearings that I have to grease over "sealed" any day. (especially in a car wash environment)
 
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