Incontinence

[unclealec]

Bit of knowledge if you would be so kind - I am having trouble sealing the top trunnion on my 1965 1000 2-door saloon; the grease escapes from the screwed plug.
Next step is to make a tool out of a sacrificial socket and some tool steel flat bar to act as a screwdriver bit so that I can remove the screwed sealing plug from where all the grease escapes when I try to lubricate it.
But if I have to remove it, is there enough flex in the swivel pin to allow me to unscrew the top trunnion once I have uncoupled it from the shocker arm and removed the top pin?

[philthehill]

You do not have to remove the top trunnion from the swivel or damper pin to remove the trunnion top seal plate.
Grease escaping past the top seal plate is a common problem. Remove the plate, shim (if possible) between the bottom of the top seal plate threads and the top seal plate making sure that the seal plate is level with the top face of the trunnion. If the plate is below the top of the trunnion the hollow and sharp edges of the trunnion will chew the bottom of the top bump rubber.
Make sure that any shims do not foul the swivel threads.
Refit the seal plate and lock and seal with Loctite.

[unclealec]

Many thanks Phil.
What do you use as a driver to remove and replace the seal plate? Never having seen one off the car, it looks to have a circular section slot, like a Woodruff key slot. Or do I have it wrong, and it is just a parallel slot that a large flate-blade screwdriver bit would remove?
I know that I will soon find out for myself, but I have a bit of an emergency job coming up for it so I want to hit the workshop running.

[philthehill]

Just use a large flat bladed screwdriver in the cross slot.
The slot is usually staked at either end to stop it coming loose but the stake is easily overcome.

[unclealec]

Thanks again Phil.
Any love for PTFE tape as a thread sealant? Just avoids the going-off time. I would usually have to wait ovrnight for the Loctite to set enough to resist the momentary pressure from the grease.

[philthehill]

No love of PTFE tape in this application.
Proper Loctite Loc & Seal will go of in just a few minutes.
Phil