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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Oh dear.....

A garage that came highly recommended did some work on my car recently. Afterwards they told me that my steering was heavy so they greased the kingpins. I have now found out that the also put grease in the rack.

Even I know that Hypoid EP90 oil should have been used. The MGOC technical helpline have told me it shouldn't be a problem and have recommended jacking the car up on the driver's side, removing the boot and checking how much grease is in there. If it's not completely packed with grease they've said i can squirt some oil in and let gravity do the rest.

However, I'm a bit concerned. Should I be?

Regards

Steve
Steve Osmond

Greasing king-pins isn't normally the cure for heavy steering... blowing up the tyres, replacing seized TREs, increasing the number of shim washers under the top trunion, etc. usually fixes it.

Depending on the year of the car, grease is what's needed for the rack. BRB is a RWA '73 and has the Triumph rack that needs grease (through a nipple you can fit on the rack above the pinion); ealier cars should be EP'd, as you say.

This isn't something I'd woory unduly about; you could always undo the inner end of the gaiters and take a look to see how much grease is in there... if they are full, the grease could put pressure on the gaitor at full lock, as it won't squeeze past the rack to the other sizde as easily as EP.

Maybe there's the clue: jack up front, and steer quickly from one lock to other and back, and see if the gaitors 'blow up' at any time. Remove excess if they do.

A
Anthony Cutler

Can't speak for modern owners but many years ago I and many others I knew started using grease in the rack instead of oil. I have always used it in my present midget and my MGA.

The key is to once a year, undo the rack boots and smear grease around the inner ball joints, these are generally the casualties of grease only in a rack. When the rack is filled with oil then these joints get a film of oil every now and then, however I like others have found that a smear of grease once a year (or more if you like) is adequate.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

I've found using a good mix of grease and oil in the gun, works its way around the King-Pins and goes fine in the rack aswell..
K Harris

I agree with robert...I like a small smear just incase a rack or gaitor gets a leak and you loose the oil

you can use zip ties or hose clamps to reattach the gatior from its back side, if you open it

Prop
Prop

Mine has become mixed with 90w oil and grease over the years. When the rack is disassembled, it is easy to see how the oil is intended to flow from boot to boot as the rack moves from side to side. On the other hand, it appeared to me that the grease was also doing its job as the teeth and swivel points were all nicely coated.

I would go 90w and grease occasionally as well.
Glenn Mallory

Do you have fill a new rack with grease/oil?
The one I have came from moss uk.
tim
Tim Dalton

90w is what is called for and would be most appropriate for initial lubrication.
Glenn Mallory

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2009 and 16/08/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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