maintenance

[TANNERS]

fan belt just snapped lucky factors still open dad showed me how to do it also didnt have anti freeze so dropped the coolant and sorted that too

gonna grease my nipples tommorrow...........loving this new insight into mechanics

[katy]

Everybody has to start somewhere, sometime, good luck

[linearaudio]

For the sub-£5 price of a fanbelt from Halfords,I recommend putting another in the boot along with the 1/2" & 9/16" spanners to fit it . Probably won't fail again for the next 5 years, but it's a worthwhile insurance!! 5 minutes with the grease gun every 5000 miles is hardly a chore, and will save losing your steering trunnions at an embarrassing time!!

[mike.perry]

The secret to smoother running is well greased nipples

[TANNERS]

done the ones at the bottom of the front wheel arm thing and the top one also both handbrake cables

whats next

[simmitc]

There are normally three on each side in the steering area - very top of the upright, very bottom of the upright (inside edge) and track rod end. You may find that pattern TREs have been fitted without nipples. Doing the handbrake cables is good, but also do the steering rack - there's a small rubber grommet under the carpet on the passenger side toe board.

[Neil MG]

Note that the steering rack is (originally) filled with oil not grease. Many have been "changed" to grease over the years, but to do so properly requires stripping the rack to make sure everything is correctly lubricated.

[TANNERS]

so is there 3 per side on the front ??

and look for a grommet under passenger carpet. is it a nipple or pot///????????

plus gotta look at windscreen washer (pumping like hell nothing happening)

[chrisd87]

There's a nipple under the rubber grommet.

The propshaft joints should also be regularly greased, although here again some pattern parts are 'sealed for life' and omit the grease nipple.

[Neil MG]

Windscreen washer is probably a blocked pipe/jet. A lot of the cheap screenwash turns to jelly if left for a few months. Blowing back down the jets with compressed air clears them out. Also check that the inlet pipe hasn't fallen off the reservoir cap (if you have that type of bottle). You also need to make sure the non return valve on the end of the intake pipe is working too. Otherwise it might take a few pumps to get any fluid.

You could fit an electric pump, but you might be surprised at how effective the manual pump is when working correctly.

[TANNERS]

had the wheels off (front)today noticed theres a lot of oil on the chassis behind the wheel.

i think its coming from a gater which is split ?? what is it called>? is it easy to do?

[bmcecosse]

I think you should get yourself a workshop manual - PM me if you don't have one . There are rubber gaiters on the steering rack ends - is that what you mean? You will get a better response if you put posts like this in the Mechanical section.......

[TANNERS]

will do thanks