VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Shackles & how to lube.................

Will be lubing our newly acquired '32 Sport Coupe for the first time soon but noticed on the rear shackles the grease fittings are very large. What does one use to grease this type of fitting? I have asked a local franchised lube shop and they don't have a clue! Greasing things up in Iowa.

The grease fittings on the rear spring shackles of your '32 are the same as the other grease fittings on the spring eye bolts, the front spring shackles, the tie rod ends and etc. They are Alemite pin type fittings. You can use a modern grease gun with an Alemite adaptor to grease your car. Alemite Company is still in business and I believe that the pin type adaptor is in stock.

Go here: http://www.alemite.com/index.html

And here: http://www.alemite.com/html/fittings/pinfit.html

....or, you can pull the Alimites out and replace them with Zerks (they both have 1/8" pipe threads)and use a modern gun, the Alimites are pulled out best with a long 1/4" socket that will just go over the barrel of the Alimite and has clearance slots ground in it with a dremmel cut-off disc to pass the pins and also unscrew the alimite by the pins.
If you then decide to show the car replace the Zerks with the Alimites, I say do this because it took me $25 and two weeks to get an Alimite adapter that was a miminal success.

Hum........the Alemite adaptor that I have works absolutely great! As a matter of fact, it works just as good as the Zerk fitting adaptor on my modern grease gun. Maybe it's the weather!? ha ha!

Naw, it is the paws! OR....your Alimite connector probably isn't made in China, like those sold by old car vendors,

Triva Quiz:
What was Mr. Zerk's first name?

...(a) Alvin?

...(b) Allen?

...(c) Benny?

...(d) None of the above?

Hey! this greaseing thread is fun!

What is it?


(a) A micro-chip used in an 1912 Chevy ignition.

(b) a better mouse trap

(c) a Zerk oiler.

No need to cut or grind a 1/4" socket. Just use a 7/16" six point socket to unscrew the Alemite fittings. Has worked for over 30 years for me.

I declare, I should have said a 1/4 inch drive socket. I had a place where I didn't have room for a 7/16 inch socket or nut driver and did the grind a socket bit then, but I think one should always use the correct tool for the job at hand!
When did they start putting the hex on Alimite fittings?.... all of those on my 28 are round all the way from the top down to the threads,and appear to have been brass with an original plateing.

See you in a couple of weeks if I get my grease gun filled and my brakes adjusted and bled by then!

Has anyone ever used giant Amazonian leeches (organic Mity-vacs) to bleed their brakes?........ just wondered!
(Mr Zerk's first name was Oscar...)

Hey, Wackie,
The six point socket fits over the pins and takes off the smooth as well as the one with hex bottom.
Guess I should have made that more clearer. Huh? That is double clear!!!

Chipper, Yes I did understand, I have done that, I had one that I couldn't get the 7/16 (3/8 drive) over the Alimite, it was too close . that is the reason for useing a small 1/4 drive and grinding the slots in it, besides I get my kicks from useing the Dremmel cut-off wheels, like on padlocks, rusty bolts, brake rods etc! The question about when they started doing the Hex was unrelated to the socket issue.
Thanks for splaining it anyway.
"I just

You guys are the best when searching for an answer to my lube question. Will be down the road in no time at all riding on a bed of grease!

Our 31 cabriolet has the non-hex alemite fittings. mike

The non-hex Alemite fittings are correct.

The hex straight fittings were available from Alemite as early as 1929. That does not mean that Chevrolet ever used the hex ones.