Greasing

Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:25 pm

Afternoon All, hope you had a nice weekend!

I spent my Sunday getting irritated on the next stage of servicing Naomi for the first time. I've been doing a few bits each week without major problems (although I need to refit the rocker cover, which is pouring oil everywhere!). Anyway, this weekend was grease nipples, which I now hate, mainly because I got very mucky! I've got a couple of questions I'm looking for some help with:

1) How do you know when the grease is actually going in? I used the minor grease gun as the new one I bought didn't seem to fit (maybe I was doing something wrong?) and sometimes it was obvious it was going in as it didn't come out the sides straight away, but other times it just came out the sides - does this mean they were full or does it mean they were blocked? What can I do if they're blocked?

2) How on EARTH do you do the steering rack? I filled my new grease gun with oil but it didn't stay in that well, and I don't think any of it actually went into the nipple - anyone got any good tips?

3) How do I remove the hub caps to remove the wheel?

Would be grateful for some help, guys...

Many thanks,

Neil

Post by **Cam** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:33 pm

1. When greasing the trunnions old grease will start to come out. I usually continue for a bit until fresh grease appears, then that's enough.

2. Just done my steering rack. My telecamet (sp?) grease gun seems OK with EP90 oil and does not leak when you use it. But I think Willie suggested to put some cloth over the grease nipple first to form a better seal.

3. Use the original tool in the toolkit or the claw end of a claw hammer

Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:38 pm

And there, it seems, is my problem, as my minor didn't come with an original toolkit. Any idea where I can get hold of one?

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 2:40 pm

Don't forget to give the nipples a wipe (oooh, no...) to make sure that all the old grease, mud, roadkill &c. doesn't get forced into the joints.

Hub caps? Claw hammer, every time. ;-)

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:44 pm

You did remember to have it on axle stands when you greased it and not standing on the ground ?
If you think the nipple is blocked remove it and then put the gun on it that usually cleans it out.
Hub Caps remover try the one from a scrap Metro.

www.xing.com/profile/Neil_Shorney · Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:46 pm

I had it half on axle stands... does it make a difference? Do I need it properly up on 4 of them?

Post by **Cam** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:52 pm

No, just so that the wheel that you are doing is off the ground

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:52 pm

Not at all its just that some owners try to grease the front suspension with it still on the ground and you cannot get the grease in properly that way, one corner at a time or both as you did is fine, sorry if I misled you.

Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:55 pm

Well you didn't really mislead me - I had one side up, rather than the front, so one front wheel was on the ground! I'll re-do that when I adjust the brakes - thanks!

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 3:56 pm

Incidentally, you shouldn't raise cars totally on 4 axle stands - it's nowhere near as secure as it is when it's up on two. Don't forget to chock the wheels which remain on the ground.

Might be a bit overzealous, but then my drive's on a slope, and you're only supposed to use the things on a flat surface. Make life difficult, really, as I live on a hill...

Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:01 pm

You should see the slope on my drive! The Minor and the Maestro both need wheel chocks just to park there - it's a real pain getting the car out as the Maestro handbrake's not too good and even in first with the h/b on it rolls back - takes 2 of us to get it off the wheel chocks! I've never been brave enough to jack it up on the drive - I put it on the road instead, but it's then a bit of a pain cuz I can't leave it jacked up on the road overnight very easily, so everything has to be done in one day!

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:20 pm

I would always park the Maestro across the driveway at least then it would catch the Moggie.
Check whats in the Maestro boot it might have the same tool as the metro for removing wheel trims its only about 4" long if you have try it on the hub cap next to one of the lugs.

Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:24 pm

Kevin wrote:I would always park the Maestro across the driveway at least then it would catch the Moggie.
Check whats in the Maestro boot it might have the same tool as the metro for removing wheel trims its only about 4" long if you have try it on the hub cap next to one of the lugs.

Catch the Moggie with the Maestro?!?! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, though, it's an MG so has the allow wheels and therefore no hub caps to remove. I've got a few things to look for in scrapyards this weekend so I'll hunt round for a tool.

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:42 pm

Well the Metro I got the tool from also had alloys and the tool which appears to be for a wheel trim remover not a hub cap remover, it was in the foam support for the jack and wheelbrace, could be worth a look.

www.xing.com/profile/Neil_Shorney · Post by **hornmeister2000** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:45 pm

Will have a look later. I've got something to remove the coloured caps on the lockable wheel nuts but it didn't seem to get the hub caps off very easily. I'll look for the other thing tonite. Thanks!

Post by **Gareth** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:07 pm

I wouldn't try and use the Maestro as a safety net - the Minor would probably go straight through it!!

I think you want a small cranked bar, with a flat end on it. Metro's have them, so I don't see why there shouldn't be one in the Maestro. It is indeed, for removing full-width wheel trims, rather than hub/wheel nut caps found on alloy wheels.