The car has been off the road for a few months , hence all the previous posts. The weight was on the front end as we were working on the back brakes. Now that we are back on the road the steering is really heavy. I've read that I should use a grease gun to oil the rack and pinion nipple. Is there a particular size of gun I should use our are all nipple sizes the same? Also should I use SAE 90 oil. and is this an easy task for an eejit to undertake?
Thanks
MacD
Heavy steering
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philthehill
- Minor Maniac
- Posts: 11591
- Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:05 pm
- Location: Hampshire
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Re: Heavy steering
Firstly check your tyre pressures. Are they correct?
Use an oil gun to put EP90 into the rack. Some say grease but Hypoid EP90 is what it should be. Check the condition of the rack gaiters to ensure that there are no holes in them to allow dirt into the rack.
See extract from BMC Minor wksp manual below. Ignore the fact that is a L/H drive car and an earlier car but all is the same no matter what the year. The reference to the steering gearbox means THE RACK & PINION.
If your track rod ends have grease nipples grease them also. Check the condition of the track rod end gaiters at the same time.
As regards the steering swivels - jack up under the outer end of the lower steering arm to take the weight off the trunnion threads and then grease with a GP grease. Keep greasing until you see fresh grease appear from behind the top and bottom trunnion seals.[frame]
[/frame]
Use an oil gun to put EP90 into the rack. Some say grease but Hypoid EP90 is what it should be. Check the condition of the rack gaiters to ensure that there are no holes in them to allow dirt into the rack.
See extract from BMC Minor wksp manual below. Ignore the fact that is a L/H drive car and an earlier car but all is the same no matter what the year. The reference to the steering gearbox means THE RACK & PINION.
If your track rod ends have grease nipples grease them also. Check the condition of the track rod end gaiters at the same time.
As regards the steering swivels - jack up under the outer end of the lower steering arm to take the weight off the trunnion threads and then grease with a GP grease. Keep greasing until you see fresh grease appear from behind the top and bottom trunnion seals.[frame]
Re: Heavy steering
The tight steering is more likely to be the kingpin swivels - partially seized. Give them a good greasing - if that doesn't help then you will need to separate them from the rack at the track rod ends - and test each side to find the tight one (or maybe two). You may then be able to free them by pumping in oil - but probably a strip down for cleaning and wear inspection -and thorough greasing will be required.
