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MG MGA - steering rack

Hi,
I have a question about the steering rack oil.Two years ago I filled the steering rack with the correct amount of oil.Now I was wondering if I need to add a bit of oil every year or so. And if so how much?There are no oil leaks so I assume that there is still the same amount of oil in the rack as in the beginning or is that not correct?
Thanks,
Herman
H. Jorens

The very first piece of literature for any MGA owner is the Driver's Handbook: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/books_2.htm#handbook

You may notice at 1000 mile intervals. "Lubricate all grease nipples (except steering rack and pinion)".

At 12,000 mile intervals, "Lubricate steering rack and pinion".
Instructions for steering rack: "Give the gearbox nipple 10 strokes only every 12,000 miles, and give the pinion nipple 2 strokes at the same time with a gun filled with oil".

Make that EP80W90 gear oil. 10 strokes is a small amount, perhaps 1 fl-oz. This pretty much assumes that the rubber boots do not leak.
Barney Gaylord

Barney. As Herman is thinking, me too, if there is no evidence of leaks why does it need 10 strokes at all? Even 1 fl oz is a fair amount in terms of the rack volume. This one has always interested me. Keen to learn!
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

I'm not advocating one or the other necessarily, but I installed a new Moss steering rack assembly (263-100) several years ago and haven't regretted it. Like a contemporary steering rack, it requires no lubrication (or attention to dampers) as the original does.
But like everything else these days, it ain't cheap.
Rick deOlazarra

Bruce, -- I'm with you. Original oil fill is 6-oz. If you add an ounce every 12,000 miles, by 100,000 miles you have added another 8-oz, which may be too much if the unit never leaks. I might concede to the two shots in the pinion shaft nipple every 12,000 miles, but otherwise if I can hear it gurgle when turned lock to lock (which I check every time I grease it), I'm not adding oil to the rack.
Barney Gaylord

Good one Barney - you have just confirmed as ok what I do! If it doesn't leak oil, it doesn't need routinely topping up. Simple!
Thanks.
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

This thread was discussed between 28/06/2013 and 29/06/2013

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