plugged grease pathway

[Goldknight]

Fixing up a older backhoe and I have 2 on the grease holes that are plugged. There both on the backhoe swing pivot. Yep there has not been grease in either ho0le for years it seems.

I did get the top pin out and cleaned up. I can see where the pin has moved metal around in the hole and this has plugged the grease pathway. I tried to drill it out but no luck that metal is very hard.

How do you experts out there deal with this kind of issue?

Thanks.

 

[Delmer]

If you have the pin out, a straight shot at it, and just need to drill it. Sharpen up a carbide masonry bit and go slow. That will work with the pin in place also.

If you're going to use this a lot, in the long term you might want new bushings and pin in there. But how much do you want to do to it before you're sure it's reliable?

 

[vera66]

I have used a port a power hooked up to the grease fitting screws in and pump it until the oil comes out or pivot the joint until oil comes out then grease it up

 

[Shimmy1]

Porta power not going to work if metal has been moved. Either drill or die-grind out the hole. Grinding a groove parallel, across the hole works well to prevent the hole from plugging again. That and timely greasing.

 

[Goldknight]

I burned up 2 carbide drill bits today trying to get through to the pin. I have a hammer drill, I will pick up a carbide mason bit and try that.

Thanks

 

[Shimmy1]

A hammer drill will do nothing. You need lots of speed, and steady pressure with the masonry bit.

 

[DIRTHAWK]

Could pound the bushing out drill the clogged hole out and pound the bushing back in.

 

[Mobiltech]

Sounds like maybe the bushing has turned or moved in the boss and the grease holes are not lined up or the grease channel is plugged.
It would be a good idea to take the bushing out and clean the grease channel .