Rattle from the Steering Column

[johnm]

Our Traveller (1968 1098) has long suffered from a persistent rattle that seems to come from the bottom of the steering column.<BR><BR>All the clamp bolts are tight, there's no significant play in the steering and its not coming from the suspension.<BR><BR>I assume it must be coming from the point at which the column joins the rack. <BR><BR>Any ideas anybody???<BR>

[Willie]

it should not be possible to have a rattle from the steering column
to rack join as it is supposed to be securely clamped so make sure
the nut and bolt are present on the clamp and that they are done up
tight (this is vital as the clamp bolt sits in a grove and prevents the
column from separating from the pinion. If this is satisfactory you will
probably find that the rattle is in the steering rack. There are two
spring loaded dampers on the rack and if worn too much you get a
rattle. I am assuming that you have correctly injected the rack with
EP90 oil via the nipple on the passenger toe board?

[johnm]

Many thanks Willie, I'm happy with all the clamp bolts but EP90 and the nipple are news to me and I've had the car 20 years!

I'll try injecting the oil and see if the rattle disappears if not I guess I'm in for a new rack.

[Willie]

JOHN....good god, twenty years without any oil in the rack!!!You
should be ashamed of yourself. (there is a rubber plug in the
passenger side toe board, use EP90 oil, rear axle type) the usual
amount is 12 strokes of the oil gun. In your case I suggest at least
24!! If the oil refuses to go into the nipple then place a 2" square
piece of old shirt etc on the nipple and try again.

[TerryG]

I went 5 years without doing mine (Until i saw a thread on here about it a few weeks ago) its amazing how easy it is to turn the wheel now

[Cam]

If the oil refuses to go into the nipple then place a 2" square
piece of old shirt etc on the nipple and try again.

I must say that this method is excellent. I had real trouble greasing my propshaft (custom one with not much clearance). Used Willie's method with the correct (inverted cone-type) end on the grease gun and it fed in beautifully!