Hey guys,

Need some thoughts on adding zerks to my Calmini UCAs that just arrived yesterday. Giving my mistress a lift!

I know to place the zerks where the bushings would meet. I know on top, but without the UCAs being mounted, my question is about where and what size? Would angled help?



Want to get these in and done before the AZXC mod day...

Thanks,

Rob

Either the 1/8 or 1/4 Zerk will do.Just make sure it's a straight one and the picture below will show you where to put em..

RI

Thanks for the quick response. The picture helps out. After reading all of the posts about squeeking with the Calmini's I knew I have to do this.

I think I'll get these in over the weekend!

Rob

Calmini specifically advises against doing so...

They should make bushings that don't sound hideous then..

I know I have to put Zerks in mine come summer time.They sound horrible..

Agreed. Ive been dealing with the freaking squeeky squeeky since i put on my damn lift. What are they gonna do, void my warrenty (which is what, 1 yr?). Dont over grease them and you should be fine...

Yes, and I believe the UCAS are warranted longer than you say..

I zerked mine and love em now, very quiet just dont put too much pressure on with a greast gun. My frame will rip out before I break the Calmini UCA. Uh oh..... I better go look

Okay, Brent, where did you get your info?

Also, who else here has added zerks?

Calmini says not to, due to possibly blowing out a bushing.

How are you going to blow out a bushing?

I have not done it (that is what Calmini told me) but I guess I could see it if someone was using a grease gun with a high PSI or an air gun turned way up and just giving it hell.

Sorry Brent, but considering Calmini has a problem with their SS that a member of XOC figured out how to fix last summer (and as of the last time I checked, they still hadn't figured out how to fix), I'll take their advice with a grain of salt.

I have extended length zerks in my UCA's.
Drilled through the UCA and the Delrin Bushing. The grease now gets right between the sleeve and bushing - no squeeks whatsoever.

The Bushing is pressure fit to the inside of the UCA - it isn't designed to move.
Trying to put grease between the bushing and UCA may cause added pressure on the bushing. It shouldn't "blow out," it doesn't really have anywhere to go, but the grease there may cause more wear on the bushing.
I was advised to tap the bushing to allow grease to get between the bushing and sleeve, meaning the squeeking will go away and eliminating the extra pressure on the bushing since grease will come out of that area more easily since that is a point of movement.

I added them to mine last summer when I couldn't stand the sqeaking anymore. I drilled and tapped a hole for the zerk in the center then chamfered the bushings so grease could get around them. It works great.

If you have an in with a mechanic, get a can of Zep2000 (haven't found it on my own yet). Sprays on liquid, gels up within seconds and gets everywhere it needs to. First sign of a squeak I hit them up and it lasts months.

That's a double edged sword in a sense, at least here in the desert. By spraying a lubricant, you're coating a wide space (at lest that's what happens when I do..) and here, it's a magnet for dust, dirt, and even sand. Once that works it's way in, the squeaking never ends. You can't stop it, you can only hope to contain it .

Well the other thing I could do is just use a dry chain lube. My brother and I use this on the chains of quads and bikes all of the time. It penetrates and drys. Does not attract dirt!


http://www.progoldmfr.com/products/chainlube.html
This might be the best solution, Calmini can't void the warranty and no squeeks.
Rob