Do Grease Fittings Get Stopped Up?

Dirt

• One of the leading causes of grease fittings clogging or binding up is dirt. If dirt is allowed to build up on top of the fitting, it can clog the various parts that are moving against each other, leading to friction or the fittings completely clogging up. This will make it difficult or even impossible to add new grease until the old dirty grease is removed from the fitting.

Debris

• Another issue for grease fittings is debris, such as sand or particles of trash. While most grease fittings are covered by some sort of protection to keep debris out of the mechanism, every machine out there is subject to eventual penetration by the elements, and once debris finds its way into the fitting it can blog down the moving parts or completely block the fitting, just like dirt.

Wear and Tear

• Because grease fittings are part of an intricate working machine, they are subject to wear and tear just like any other moving part. While great care is taken in the design of grease fittings and mechanical parts to ensure they last as long as possible, once things start to break down there is a greater risk for dirt and debris to make their way into the fitting, which can clog the moving parts or make it nearly impossible to add new grease until you repair and clean things.

Weather

• While weather alone does not generally clog grease fittings, grease is susceptible to weather changes. Colder weather makes grease thicker, which means it has a harder time getting through the various joints and elements within the fitting. This can make it seem as though the fitting is clogged, but in reality it might just be the fact that you have a low quality of grease that can’t handle the colder temperatures.