Q: STUCK!

Dear Mick, while greasing my outboard steering, the grease gun got stuck on the Zerk fitting. How can I prevent this? Should I use a different tip?

Mel Tobin Chicago, Illinois

A: The tip or coupler of a grease gun is in two parts that screw together. These can become too tightly screwed together, and when that happens, they grip the grease fitting too tightly. Cure the problem by unscrewing the two parts of the coupler and then putting them back together no more than finger-tight. You’ll note that the one part nearest the hose has a hex fitting that accepts a wrench and that the other part is knurled for fingers to grip. If you need slip-lock pliers to get it apart, go easy and don’t squeeze too hard.