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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - steering rack

Hi
All, Can somebody tell me how to change and refill the oil/ grease in a rack. Also what do you use and how much?. Thanks
s page

Simon, which rack, Morris Minor type (early) or Triumph type (late) ?
David Smith

The rack on my 69 car has a grease nipple and I've always pumped grease in it whether or not this has been correct. It's possible your car has an early rack that didn't have the grease nipple.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

later ones (Triumph type) don't have a grease nipple either. If starting with an unknown quantity then release both bellows and put grease inside on the visible parts of the rack, work it fully end to end, bit more grease for luck, reseal the bellows.
David Smith

AFAIK the steering rack holds 280ml of the finest EP90. Inject it into the rack after releasing one of the clips from the track rod. I could only get 250 into mine when starting from scratch.
David Cox

Haynes quotes EP 140 for cars upto & including MK3 Sprites/MK2 midgets and general purpose grease (such as LB10)for later cars.

Oil is 10fl oz. or 280cc.
Grease is 1/2 to 3/4 oz. or 14 to 21gm.
T Mason

I always thought early cars were EP90.

I'm assuming it's a race car, Simon? In which case you should be using the early rack with 2.25 turns lock-to-lock!
Dave O'Neill 2

Haynes might be wrong. They are wrong about at least one other thing and when I wrote/e-mailed (maybe both) to tell them they never replied.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

from a 1973 original Handbook - lube chart says Hypoid 90 for 'axle and steering gear'.
Service schedule says:
steering rack - early cars - 10 strokes with an oil gun
from GAN5-114643 - 'Rack lubrication must be entrusted to Distributor or Dealer'
I have always taken the latter to mean 'it wants grease not oil so no nipple, just pull the bellows back' etc
David Smith

Hi Guys, Yes its an early rack on my race car. I do know some people use the later rack for racers as it is much lighter. Any way thanks for the info. See you that know me around the circuits this year I hope. Regards. Simon
s page

I guess what you are "entrusting to the Distributor or Dealer" is to remove the grease plug on the later cars, screw in a grease nipple, pump 8-10 strokes with a grease gun, and then replace the plug. Since I couldn't find a local Distributor or Dealer, I just did it myself when I had the radiator (and engine) out for some work. However, it may be difficult to do with the radiator in. Therefore, going thru the bellows might be an easier way with everything intact.

Jack
Jack Orkin

Simon - are you doing the CSCC meeting at Brands in May?

James
James Bilsland

How much lighter is the later rack?
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

A lot!
including TREs:-
early = 15lb 10oz
late = 10lb 2oz
so the difference is 5.5 lbs or 2.5kg
David Smith

But the downside is that it's a 'slower' rack with more turns lock to lock? Anything else not in its favour??

It's a pity the early rack can't be substantially lightened. Assumedly the main casing could be lightend, anyone done this?
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

since we're on the topic... my steering is 2.5 turns from lock to lock... so it is the earlier type that uses gear oil, yes?
Chris Edwards

The early rack is supposed to be 2.25 and the later one is 2.8

The easy way to tell is whether you have cast alloy mounting brackets (early) or pressed steel.
Dave O'Neill 2

This thread was discussed between 12/04/2010 and 16/04/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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