lubrication of the steering rack

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:28 pm

I've found the nipple, and ive got EP-90 oil for it, but how do i get in the nipple? Ive got two grease guns and theres no way they're going to pump oil as they manage to leak grease!? I've looked for oil guns but can only manage to find vintage brass ones for a small fortune, any other idea?

Post by **jojax64** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:32 pm

Yep.
Remove the nipple, then simply add a few drops of EP90. I've found the grease gun application a bit hit-and-miss, to be honest.

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:33 pm

so i can just drip it in?

Post by **jojax64** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:34 pm

Why not?

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:35 pm

Cheers mate, ill do that tomorrow

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:05 am

I have a oil-only grease gun. It's just an ordinary grease gun, and yes, it drips oil, but having tested it it quite definately squirts oil through the bit that clips onto the nipple.

I just drain it immediately afterwards and wrap an old cloth or bag around the thing while I use it

Post by **Willie** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:36 am

The almost certain cure for any grease gun which will not inject oil or grease
in to a nipple is to cut some 2"x2" pieces of old shirt or similar material and
place it over the nipple. if you now force the grease gun on it will usually do
the trick, if not, try two layers of material.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:37 am

I unbolt the nipple and drip the oil in using an oil can.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:44 pm

I use EP90 oil in a grease gun, but like Kate I make sure I empty it afterwards otherwise it will empty itself over the next couple of days.

Having a few Minors, I try and do all the steering racks in one go (to avoid having to load the grease gun with oil any more often)

Post by **woo** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 1:32 am

I bought a cheap lever type grease gun from halfords specifically for oiling the steering rack. I leave the oil in it and hang it on a nail on the garage wall in the upright position. Nothing leaks, so it's always ready for use and saves me from the palaver of filling it up each time.

Post by SR » Sun Feb 26, 2006 6:58 am

im gonna try this for £4.69

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:56 am

i use one with a flexi hose on the end, sometimes the angle is not quite right on the fixed ones

Post by **Cam** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:00 pm

Steve, I have one of those and they are rubbish.

I bought a pump type (handle type) with a flexi hose and it's much better. I think I had it from machine mart but I can't see it in their catalogue now.

To do the steering rack I have tried all the methods and I find that unscrewing the nipple and using an oil can works bes for me. I have to say though that Willie's 'shirt' method works VERY well if you have trouble with a nipple sealing against the gun.

Post by SR » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:47 pm

looks ive u just saved me £4.69, cheers cam

Post by **minor_hickup** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:51 pm

I bought a large agricultural grease gun and i couldnt get it onto any of the grease nipples! I had to do some delicate 're-shaping' of the pipe with a hammer!

Post by **chrisd87** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:50 pm

Would EP-80W oil do instead of EP-90 for lubricating the steering rack and in the diff? I haven't been able to get hold of any EP-90.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:54 pm

yes - for the steering rack it isn't going to make any difference at all (IMHO)

Post by **chrisd87** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:58 pm

Thanks. I haven't wasted a fiver after all

.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:02 pm

rayofleamington wrote:yes - for the steering rack it isn't going to make any difference at all (IMHO)

Oh, I dunno - it'll upset the purists...

Post by **chrisd87** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:09 pm

Multigrade oil?!? Sacrilege!