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MG MGA - Steering Rack Lubrication

Am I correct in assuming that for the Twin Cam (and presumably the same for the pushrod engined MGA) owners nowadays use a greasegun on the pinion nipple, rather than an oil gun as instucted in the Workshop Manual and the Operation Manual? But EP90 oil still used in the rack as instructed.
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

On my 1600, I use a grease gun with 180 weight oil in it. The process is still more than a little messy.
David Werblow

yes I believe that to be correct Bruce,that is the way I read it, I have recently done mine that way,grease the pinion and oil the rack, Vin
Vin Rafter

I think I have mentioned before that I drilled out the nipples and attached plastic pipes to them and up the side of the radiator. Periodically I pour oil down the tubes. Dead easy and no mess. Most prewar MGs used a similar system.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks guys. For info re Steve's comment, I have done something similar for the rack oil lubrication, just a bit slower. I unscrew the oil nipple and push in a thin flexible tube attached to the spout of a simple oil can. Then just pump oil in. The "proper" oil gun/nipple approach seems incredibly inefficient, slow and messy by comparison.
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

I grease the pinion nipple also but for the rack I use an marine gear oil gun. The gear oil comes in 8 or 10 ounce plastic tubes that screw onto the gun. The gun has a standard grease coupler on the end. Get one with a flexiable whip end and it will take but a moment to lube the rack. No mess and it is easy to gauge how much you've added.
Charles O'Brien

Charles,
I like your solution, but where do you buy this marine gear oil gun? We don't have a lot of Marinas where I live.
Regards,
GTF
G T Foster

Can we clear this one up for one and all. I am getting slightly confused. The MGA workshop manual shows that both lubrication points should be filled with SAE 90EP oil - which is what I do. Many people, it seems, put grease in the pinion and oil in the rack.

What is correct? What damage, if any, can be done with:

1. Oil in both.

2. Grease in both.

3. Grease in the pinion and oil in the rack.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Well clarified Steve - that was exactly what I was originally trying to get at. Reading on Barney's website a description of a technical session refurbishing an MGA rack, it would appear he advocates grease in the pinion shaft and oil in the rack, against the original MG recommendation.
I look forward to a definitive view from someone!
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

Just to be clear - Barney's article SR201 (Tech Day) quotes:

"Once the end seals are in place you can install the specified 6 to 8 ounces of gear oil into the rack housing. For the MGA the oil can be injected through the Zerk fitting on top of the main housing near the pinion shaft (but not the fitting directly over the pinion shaft). Move the rack to full lock in both directions, when you can hear oil gurgling through the end boots you have enough. The same technique is used to determine fill level on the car. Do not overfill the rack, as this may cause oil to be forced out past the ends of the rubber boots in operation. Lubricate the pinion journal bearing with several strokes of a grease gun at initial assembly, but in operation only two strokes every 12,000 miles".

Bruce
Bruce Mayo

Bruce, maybe I'm reading the quote wrong but it doesn't actually say to lubricate the pinion with grease, it says to use several strokes of the grease gun...which could be filled with the same oil that's used for the rack.
Andy Bounsall

The original oil chart shows SAE90 oil into both nipples. I have replaced the straight nipples with 45deg grease nipples, obtained a simple straight oil gun and with the nipples screwed into the right position the oil gun goes straight on them from behind the radiator.
Authentic looking and simple!
Pete
Pete Tipping

Andy. Yes, I take your point - could be another interpretation. Perhaps the Guru may speak to clarify!
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

I don't think he'd say to give it several strokes of a grease gun when he actually meant "don't put grease in this zerk". I grease the shaft and put gear oil in the rack. Just a thought- if you put 90wt oil in the shaft zerk, what keeps it in there given that gravity is working against it and there's no reservoir?
Mark J Michalak

G T, I found mine when making a delivery to a boating store one of the advantages of driving for a living. Any place that deals with outboards should have them. I did find them online, hope this link works.
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/product/GUN-GREASE-4-91-37299Q-2,71138.aspx
I'm not sure but I think the 8 oz tubes of gear oil are available at most auto supply stores. Chuck
Charles O'Brien

RE: Pinion shaft upper journal area, and the input shaft Zerk fitting. The Driver's Handbook and the Workshop Manual call for 90 weight gear oil in both fittings. I would recommend 90W in the rack housing but grease for the pinion shaft upper journal. I don't suppose oil draining down by gravity would be any issue, as once wet it should stay wet, as long as it stays sealed.

The issue here is integrity of the seal. Seal for the input shaft is a simple felt ring. When new and soaked with oil it may be okay. When old, dry, worn, possibly caked with hard oil/grease and dirt, it may not be much of a seal at all. The pinion shaft Zerk fitting is located midway between the seal and the upper thrust washer for the pinion gear. Packing this small area with grease is more likely to help keep the oil in and keep dirt and water out.

$0.02




Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney - all now clear for me!
Bruce
Bruce Mayo

This thread was discussed between 30/03/2010 and 01/04/2010

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.