M7 grease zirc question

[Wyosnow]

I was just greasing my M7, for the first time, and pulled off 2 grease zircs. One came off when I was trying to pull the grease gun off and the second came out when I was pumping grease in. I might have pulled too hard on the first, but the second one blew me away. The gun might have been at a tough angle while pumping, but that still seems week. Both were in the rear suspension.

Anyway, I had planned to go riding on Friday. The problem is that both of these holes are officially stripped out and I don't have time (or the stuff) to retap the holes and put in new zircs tomorrow. How damaging would it be to take it for a 20 mile boondocking type ride without the grease zircs in place? There should be adequate grease in both areas. I've never had this happen so would appreciate some sage advice. I'd hate to give up a day of riding on a weekday when I normally only get to ride on weekends.

Thanks

 

[ttyR2]

If you fix the problem and grease it up as soon as possible, it'd be fine. if you're worried, wrap some electrical tape around the part to cover the hole.

 

[badass1000]

I pulled out one of the grease zircs on the rear suspension of my m7 also. I just wrapped electrical tape around the hole with no problems. Just make sure to wrap it around atleast once so the electrical tape is sticking to itself. I don't think it would hold if you just put a partial piece on their. Probably fall off the paint.

 

[tlb]

grease zerk

same thing happen to mine " wtf "

 

[revrider1]

Mine came out with the grease gun as well, found out that they are pressed in and not threaded from the factory. I asked the dealer and he said don't worry about it cuz it's getting plenty of lube being under the snow meaning it's wet all the time anyway so it stays cool. At first this bothered me because i had just dropped $8500 for this new 06 M7 but the more I thought about what he said the more it made sense to me. Now I have 2000mi on that sled and the suspension is fine.

 

[Beels]

Mine came out with the grease gun as well, found out that they are pressed in and not threaded from the factory. I asked the dealer and he said don't worry about it cuz it's getting plenty of lube being under the snow meaning it's wet all the time anyway so it stays cool. At first this bothered me because i had just dropped $8500 for this new 06 M7 but the more I thought about what he said the more it made sense to me. Now I have 2000mi on that sled and the suspension is fine.

Uh... Nothing more than the dealer being lazy. It's not the powder that does a number on suspension shafts and bushings, it's the pounding it takes getting there and getting back to the truck. I'd take the skid out, pull the shafts and tap the holes for the thread in style nipples.

 

[badass1000]

the zircs are threaded. it is kind of a crappy design. They just drill a hole in the round rod and tap it. if course it can not stick in too far or it hits the shaft. The rod is round and the zirc sealing surface is flat. They put a washer between the zirc and the rod. So it is only held in by a thread or two and the ones that are still in the grease comes out between the washer and the rod because for some reason the flat washer does not seal against the round rod.
They should have welded a spot on the rod to build up the material and then ground it smooth. Then drilled and taped it. More material for the zirc to thread into and a flat surface to seal.

 

[APEXed West]

I have taken out the arms on front and rear suspensions and welded on a square nut either with proper thread or drilled out and tapped. Have never had a problem with that install. Additional benefit is added clearance to place a 90degree zirc so is easier to get to in some locations.

 

[TWOSTOKED]

Arctic crap

I love riding my M7, runs strong and handles great but... This is the 1st Cat I have owned and compared to the Polaris and Yami's I had this thing looks like Jim Bob built it in his back yard WTF? I have 650 miles on my sled and have had many issues with it. All small ones but still a pain.