Top trunnion MM

[colin addison]

Hello
I have recently acquired a 1950 MM Tourer which is in quite remarkable condition. From the MOT certificates I have from the early 60s I reckon it has done around 75k miles, it had a new speedo some time ago. It has been off the road for 20 years so the plan is to firstly replace all rubbers on the suspension and brakes, then whip the engine out which is seized solid. I will get away with the body for a year or two, it appears to just need a good clean-up. Even the chassis legs have had no welding done to them.
Coming to the last weel to be sorted I got it all reassembled, went to gease the trunnions and cannot get any grease through the top nipple. I have removed the nipple and it is fine, so the blockage is within the trunnion.
Does anyone know if a drill poked into the hole is likely to open up the grease route please?? If possible this might solve the problem without dismantling again.
I have been away for this week so have a little time for an answer!
thanks for your help, I will get round to posting some photos asap.
Colin

[fussyoldfart]

Hi Colin,
I happen to have a new pair of trunnions at hand for my 1950 MM so I took one out of the package for a look. I would say poking a drill bit or some such probe into the hole where the grease nipple goes might break open the passageway for the grease but I really think it will have to come off and be cleaned out to do it properly. The problem is that the old grease in the trunnion has probably hardened to the consistency of bakelite plastic. If you had it apart and cleaned all but the hole at the nipple you'll be OK with using a drill bit but otherwise ...

[mike.perry]

Try soaking the trunnion in parafin to loosen the grease.Then with the grease nipple removed pack the trunnion with fresh grease and wind it back on the swivel pin until grease comes out of the nipple hole. Refit the grease nipple and wind on the rest of the way. You can now be sure that you have fresh grease in the trunnion, on your hands and clothes, on the garage floor etc.
Could you please let me have the details of your Series MM for the Register

[colin addison]

Thanks for the advise fussyoldfart and Mike.
I will strip it again and do as suggested.
Mike, have sent pm to you with car details.
Colin