Grease Fittings
www.alemite.com/pdfs/section2.pdf
The Beech parts manual lists a grease fitting part #1645. This fitting was produced by Alemite Corp. This fitting manufactured in the 1940's and 1950's is no longer produced by Alemite Corp. However, They do have a replacement grease fitting part # 1728-B.
Available sources
2414 Ella Blvd
Houston TX. 77008
Toll Free 877-453-4333
Local 713-869-9177
FAX 713-869-9474
If you are working on one of the more common press-in Beech grease
fittings it's probable the #1645 (Alemite, new part #1728-B). Alemite does
offer a insertion extraction tool specifically for that fitting (listed
below). If using a drill bit, work your way up from a small bit and try not
to go larger than a 3/16",(4.7625mm or .1875") size bit. Otherwise you will
have to use the next larger size grease fitting. The next size up is the
Alemite #1743-B for this you'd use a 1/4" drill bit size. If you have any of
the old 1645 fittings that no longer will stay pressed in , then you most
likely will have to use the larger fitting anyway. Prepare the hole with a
1/4" bit first when using the next larger size fitting. As we already know,
the press-in fittings are really a nuisance due to the limited pressure and
abuse the will hold up to and still remain installed. Not always practical
but I like to remove any tension behind the fitting. For the landing gear, I
like to have the plane on jacks and do a partial retraction to loosen
tension of the assembly that I am trying to grease. The assembly will more
easily take the grease and not pressure up the grease gun hose. Although the
grease fittings are getting old and sometimes may contain blockage, it is
often the case of the airplane part assembly having to much pressure behind
the fitting to receive the necessary grease. The press-in grease fittings
are not designed to hold up under a high pressure environment and can
eventually be forced out of their socket by a mechanic that really puts
muscle to the handle of a grease gun. When greasing a zerk fitting,
sometimes you can't get the grease gun hose off the zerk. This is due to a
fitting or assembly that is not taking the grease and pressures up the
grease gun hose. This causes the mechanic to use force to pull the hose off.
Sometimes the grease zerk/fitting will come out of its socket and remain in
the tip of the grease gun hose. Or, sometimes a quick jerk and the grease
zerk/fitting will break-off. The grease gun hose is just doing its job, it's
suppose to grip under pressure, if you find yourself in this situation,
relieve the pressure from the grease gun before removing from zerk
Alternative ? Yes, Alemite has "Thread forming fittings" like the #3038-B
available that will take more pressure before they work their way out of the
socket. So, converting to a treaded type fitting will allow more pressure
from a grease gun and you may be able to force the grease into the assembly
without removing tension off of the assembly that is receiving the grease.
Try A&J Fittings
www.ajfittings.com/Fittings.htm
A&J Fittings
2414 Ella Blvd
Houston TX. 77008
Toll Free 877-453-4333
Local 713-869-9177
The old part #1645 that's in the Beech parts book is no longer produced by
Alemite Corp. Instead they have replaced it with the part #1728-B. Their is
also a insertion and extraction tool available part #5253-3. Available at
A&J fittings.
Their is a slight difference between the #1645 and the 1728-B
What's the difference ?
Alemite #1645 (original Beech grease fitting by Alemite)
(Overall length=30/64"), (Shank length 1/4"), (Drill dia. 3/16")
The #1728-B is 3/64" longer or .046875" longer than the #1645
Alemite #1728-B grease fitting
(Overall length=33/64"), (Shank length 1/4"), (Drill dia. 3/16")
Next oversize grease fitting
Alemite #1743-B grease fitting
(Overall length=35/64"), (Shank length 1/4"), (Drill dia. 1/4")
www.alemite.com
Diagrams of various fittings
www.alemite.com/pdfs/section2.pdf
Self Tapping fitting
