Do I need an oil gun?

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This is more of a tool related question than a mechanical car related question.

What is the best way to top-up the steering rack and rear axle with oil? Do I need to buy an oil gun (specifically for oil as I have heard that grease guns tend to leak badly)? If so, does anybody have one that they can recommend? Has anybody tried this one from HP Tools - http://www.hdtools.co.uk/cart/index.php ... ductId=812.


(I have a 1960 Morris Minor 1000 with the filler plug on the back of the differential casing).

[MColes]

I believe that most people now put grease in the steering rack rather than oil, so use the grease gun.

When you buy oil for the rear axle it usually comes in a container with a pull out nozzle that can easy be used to top up the rear axle.

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Thanks Matt. Sounds like I've got no excuse for replacing my split steering gaitor and leaking rear axle oil seals then

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On a related note, does anybody have any tips on removing the rear axle oil filler plug. It is a square female "socket". I don't think that I've ever managed to remove it.

Is it a bad idea, or even impossible, to top the fill up the oil via the breather hole on top of the diff casing? (I guess if I do that, it still makes it impossible to check the oil level every now and then).

[MColes]

You can buy a set of drain plug keys from most motor factors that fit the drain plug.

You can fill the axle via the breather hole if you can't remove the filler plug, but as you say, it makes it difficult to keep a check on the amount of oil in there. So remove it if you can.

[bmcecosse]

Danger of overfilling - just take the plug out - it's not difficult.
And yes - best to use grease in the steering rack. I use Moly grease - but mainly because i have a tub of it!

[Stig]

Is it a bad idea, or even impossible, to top the fill up the oil via the breather hole on top of the diff casing? (I guess if I do that, it still makes it impossible to check the oil level every now and then).

I used to do this (with a squirty oil can) before I changed the axle as I couldn't get the filler plug out even using an impact wrench. I unscrewed the breather first and used a bit of stiff wire as a dipstick to check the level.

[MColes]

I had to do it on my old car as someone had put a 1098 diff in a 948 axle casing (I think it was that combination) so I didn't have a filler plug

[chickenjohn]

This is more of a tool related question than a mechanical car related question.

What is the best way to top-up the steering rack and rear axle with oil? Do I need to buy an oil gun (specifically for oil as I have heard that grease guns tend to leak badly)? If so, does anybody have one that they can recommend? Has anybody tried this one from HP Tools - http://www.hdtools.co.uk/cart/index.php ... ductId=812.


(I have a 1960 Morris Minor 1000 with the filler plug on the back of the differential casing).

You don't need an oil gun! Just unbolt the nipple on the steering rack and squirt oil into the rack with an oil gun!

Personally, I use oil in the rack (EP90), if we were meant to use grease, it would say so in the manual!!!!

[bmcecosse]

Aye - but things move on - and all later racks made in exactly the same fashion (ie Mini etc) are specified for grease - not oil. The grease stays in the rack - the oil runs out into the boots - where it does precisely nothing.......

[MarkyB]

What moves the grease to where it's needed?
I would think the action of the bellows each end of the rack would "pump" the oil from end to end.

[bmcecosse]

I suppose that's possible - if the car goes to full lock from time to time.

[southerly95]

Afraid that I use EP90 in an old grease gun, this doesn't leak but you have to remember it hasn't got grease in! Note to self, respray it red some time

I use oil cos I know it's more likell to reach the moving parts than grease?

[chickenjohn]

Yes, when I squirt the oil in through the nipple bolt hole, I have front wheels off the ground and turn the wheel from lock to lock to ensure the oil gets where it needs to go.

[bmcecosse]

Same idea with the grease - I use Moly grease - but only because i have a tub of it from Mini days. And the grease doesn't run away into the boots..........