Q&A for How to Load a Grease Gun

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  • Question
    After using a manual grease gun and before storing the gun, should the plunger/pull rod be pulled back to release pressure on the grease?
    Community Answer
    No. It is not necessary to pull the plunger rod out again until the grease cartridge is empty and needs to be replaced.
  • Question
    Does every grease gun have a rubber gasket?
    Community Answer
    Yes. The rubber gasket pushes the grease towards the gun head while priming.
  • Question
    What do I do if I can't get the grease to come out of the gun?
    Community Answer
    Pull back the rod with the spring, and push the rod back into the grease gun again. This should release any air that got locked in the gun while installing the new cartridge.
  • Question
    What if the grease still does not come out?
    Community Answer
    Unscrew the tube two turns to allow the air pockets to be released from the tube.
  • Question
    What if the grease keeps getting under the rubber gasket?
    Community Answer
    Grease commonly seeps past the plunger. Verify the plunger is still properly attached and not torn. Low-quality grease has a tendency to seep oil and drip after storage or bypass the plunger. Plastic grease tube cartridges tend to seal better than formed cardboard tubing.
  • Question
    Can I control the amount of grease that comes out of a grease gun?
    Community Answer
    I do this with my lever-action grease gun by varying the speed and force with which I move the lever towards the body of the grease gun. If you have an air-powered grease gun, you may need to mess with an inline regulator, which I'm not prepared to give advice about other than saying you might need one. I find I get better control with a longer lever action that's been greased.
  • Question
    What do I do if the grease ends up behind the gasket?
    Community Answer
    Unscrew the lower cap from the barrel. Wipe out any grease and start this process over.
  • Question
    How do I get the empty cartridge out of my grease gun?
    Community Answer
    Sometimes this can be quite difficult. If the plunger will not force the tube out after cycling the rod a few times (with the grease gun head detached), more than likely the metal ring on the grease tube was crushed onto the barrel. Use a small screwdriver to gently pry between the metal ring and grease gun barrel, taking care not to damage threads on the barrel. This metal ring can be folded in on itself or pried out with the old grease tube still attached.
  • Question
    Do I push the tube from the hose end or the plunger end when loading a grease gun?
    Community Answer
    The end of the tube that previously had the plastic cap on it enters the gun at the "hose end" and slides down towards the plunger end, which was left in place and not unscrewed.
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