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Trunnions where are they?

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 1:40 pm
by pjh56
I have just got my car back from the garage and they have advised me to grease the trunnions on a regular basis. Not being at all mechanically minded I looked through the Haynes manual to see where they are and there is no mention of them at all.
Are they called something else and could somebody tell me where they are on the car. Sorry if I seem a bit of a div :roll: but this is all new to me and I want to get it right first time.


Many thanks
Peter

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:12 pm
by simmitc
Look at the section on front suspension. You'll see the uprights / kingpins / swivel pins. At the top and bottom of each is the swivel joint, also known as trunnion. The grease nipple for the bottom one is underneath. The one for the top faces towards the rear. It's best to remove the wheel to get good access.

When working on a car like this, ensure that the handbrake is on, ignition off, in gear, wheels chocked, etc, and the car must be supported on axle stands. Do not under any circumstances go under the car when relying only on the jack.

You should also crease the steering joint / track rod end (same area, one each side); the handbrake cables (if grease nipples are fitted); the universal joints (one each end of the propellor shaft); and the steering rack - passenger side footwell, under the carpet, there's a small rubber grommet through which you can see a nipple. Recommended EP90 oil, but plenty of discussion on here to say grease is OK).

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:43 pm
by pjh56
Thanks simmitc
Now I know where to start I shall have a go. Once you get the correct information it does'nt seem so daunting. I must admit i'm a dab hand at saving peoples lives (nurse) but when it comes to anything mechanical this is all new to me.

Regards
Peter :D

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:29 pm
by dalebrignall
its quite easy really,get your self a good grease gun and a manual and have a go.if i can di it anyone can .

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:18 pm
by pjh56
As I mentioned in my original post, I have the Haynes manual, but unless the part is actually named correctly where do you start? Nowhere does it say where a trunnion is ? that's why I posted the question.

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:45 pm
by nslocomotive2
they are described as king pin upper and lower joints in the Haynes manual, if yours is the same as mine on the routine maintenance section page 10 you have an image of them image number 7 top and bottom, the routine maintenance tasks are good in this manual to follow, so i suggest you start at the top of the list and work your way down it. I'm still a bit of a newbie, but the first time is always the worst, it takes me a few hours on a Sunday morn to do this kind of service on the car.

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:57 pm
by pjh56
Many thanks nslocomotive2
Sounds good, will definitely follow this routine, can't wait to get my hands dirty or maybe I might use those rubber gloves like they do at Kwik fit :lol:
Peter

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:53 pm
by bmcecosse
Definitely wear rubber gloves - pink Marigolds are best! They do protect the hands to an extent - and keep them much warmer in winter.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:56 pm
by pjh56
Nah! not my colour

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:00 pm
by bmcecosse
Funny that - quite a few on here have the same view. Seems like colour prejudice to me! Fact is - they were discards from where I worked - others threw them in the bin at end of day - I brought mine home for 're-cycling'.

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:05 pm
by pjh56
10 out of 10 for recycling, I'm all for that it's just I don't like pink, but the idea of gloves sounds good, I just thought I was being a bit of a nellie. :lol:

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:56 pm
by bmcecosse
Poundland do a set of three pairs yellow gloves - not quite as thick as the Marigolds - but ok! My hands are very big - so it's not easy to find gloves large enough! The Poundland ones are fine. No shame in wearing the gloves - you only get one pair of hands - may as well look after them.

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:08 pm
by pjh56
It's amazing what you can learn from this forum, considering my first post was help in trying to find out where the trunnions were on a morris minor, that's why I think this club is great.

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:40 pm
by bmcecosse
Ahh yes - the threads soon wander!

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:45 pm
by les
I reckon you would have a ready supply of protective gloves!

Steering Joint

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:14 pm
by thecontainerdriver
Funnily enough, I've had the wheels off my car for the first time this afternoon. I found the grease nipples at the top and bottom of the kingpins, but I couldn't find any on the steering joints Where am I supposed to put the grease?

Cheers...

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:39 pm
by bmcecosse
Some of the replacemnet TREs don't have grease nipples.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:41 pm
by thecontainerdriver
I see. As you'll have gathered, I'm new to all this! What does TRE stand for? All the best.

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:43 pm
by mike.perry
TRACK ROD END

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:44 pm
by bmcecosse
Track Rod End! Welcome to the Forum by the way - sorry - I missed that on your first post! If you add in your 'location' in your Profile - we will know where you are!