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MG TD TF 1500 - Steering Rack Oil Gun Source

Replace both steering boots yesterday. Determined to use 90wt. oil. Ha! Ha! What a mess I have to clean up. Bought an inexpensive grease gun to modify. Nope. The end cap doesn't screw off. It's staked in place. Tried using a Mity-Vac, etc., etc. Does anyone if one can buy a pressure gun that will work with 90 wt? Any thoughts on using Redline MT90 in the rack? TIA. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud -- I made a gun for the steering rack from an oilcan. The kind that has a lever and squirts oil out. I went to my auto parts supplier and purchased a coupler for a grease gun. Then made up a bushing that had threads to match the coupler and soldered that on the spout of the oilcan. Screwed the coupler on and it worked like a charm.

I got the idea for that from a 'T' Party member (female) who won the TD class at the GOF in Smugglers Notch. Can't seem to think of her name at the moment.

If you need more details let me know.

Bob
bobj50

http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/highpressureoiler/highpressureoiler.htm

Bud,

I built the oiler in the link above and filled my rack with the correct 90 weight oil. For the first couple of weeks I kept an oil pan underneath to catch a fair amount of oil that leaked out. The leak continued, slowly, for quite some time after that.

Previously, the rack had been loaded with grease. The grease likely does a reasonable job of keeping the rack lubricated, but it can't reach the outer ball joints.

I think it is reasonable, although others will certainly have their opinion, to have a mix of grease and oil in the rack. The grease stays put and lubricates the rack, specifically. The oil sloshes around and takes care of the outer ball joints.

It is just as reasonable, although messy, to squirt the oil in through the rubber boot, after loosening a clamp on the boot.

Larry
Larry Shoer

We didn't have a grease gun loaded with 90 weight so I removed the whole nipple piece, which left a good sized hole and used an oil can (lever type) and just kept shooting oil down both directions till my hand got tired!!!!!
gblawson(gordon)

Bud,

I recall I did a few other things when I began using oil in the rack.

Initially, I found that the oil leaked through the pinion tail bearing. I removed the pinion tail bearing by removing two bolts, then turning the assembly back and forth and prying up carefully with a spatula behind flange. The pinion tail bearing, four shims, and thrust washer were removed. (Note: Groove on pinion tail bearing is positioned upward on reassembly.) On reassembly Permatex blue was used between all mating surfaces (shims, rack, and tail bearing).

The grease fitting did not hold oil and was replaced.

Check the boots carefully. Oil will leak through any cracks or tears in the boot. Because my rack is a mixed grease/oil affair, I packed lithium grease into the outer balls before replacing the boots. Since grease and oil mix without difficulty, this should not present a problem.

Don't over-oil the rack. Nominally, it should take 13.3 ounces (US). For some number of weeks oil leaked out the rear of the rack where the shaft comes from the steering wheel and enters the rack. This appears to be a poor seal, but should not require additional attention.

Finally, 90 weight gear oil is hard to find these days. There should be no problem using 80W90 gear oil (which has EP additives).

Larry
Larry Shoer

Bud; Have used an inexpensive pump originally intended for filling the lower unit on inboard/outboard lower units in marine applications. Had to fiddle a liddle with fitting-wasn't too tough to adapt. These little pumps are handy for filling trans and differential also-available most boat shops and some automotive stores. Dan
Dan Craig

Bud,
I remove the nipple and use a flex hose from the hardware store sized to fit into the hole, and onto the nipple of the squeeze bottle of 90 weight,,...

SPW
Steve Wincze

Bud - There is information for making a high pressure oil gun at: http://www.omgtr.ca/technical/highpressureoiler/highpressureoiler.htm (note: you will have to copy and past the full URL). Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Dave - I have the omgtr article. I can not locate a grease gun with a removable end cap. All that I come across are staked. I'm leery of cutting up my old one.

Bob, etc. - I'm surprised that you can get enough pressure to overcome the zerk fitting.

Steve -- I tried the hose trick. It was pouring out just fast I could squeeze it in.

90 weight gear oil doesn't seem to be hard to come by. I have a ready source of Castrol Hypoly available. Bought it before switching to Redline. Speaking of which -- any thoughts about using Redline MT90 in the rack?

Tnx, Bud
Getting ready to spread a lot of kitty litter so soak up a lot of 90 wt. on the garage floor.
Bud Krueger

Bud -- I was a bit suprised myself, I thought the zerk fitting would give me trouble but it did not. The thing works real slick. Maybe the zerk fitting is not in good shape but it doesn't seem to spill the oil out after I have filled the steering assembly. The person that told me about this thing used a rubber (neoprene) hose between the oil can and the grease gun coupler. And didn't have any trouble either.
Cheers,

Bob
bobj50

You could probably buy a cartridge of No More Gaps or similar, wash it out and use it as an oil squirter - I just used lithium grease. Regards, Richard.
R Payne

Finally!!! Did it!!! I'll be writing up a bit more about it, but I just wanted to let you folks know that I did find a way to put 80/90 wt. oil into the steering rack after replacing the boots. The tool that worked for me is an Air Grease Gun from Sears, Model 09-19958 at $29.95. (see image) What an experience! What a lot of oil to have to clean up.


Bud Krueger

More of the rack oil sage can be found on Ttalk.
See http://www.ttalk.info/RackOil.htm - Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud,
A question...did you have to hook it up to an air source?
Bob
52 TD
Bob Dougherty

Yes, Bob. Very low air requirement. Sorry for not being quantitative on that.
Bud Krueger

A very simple way I used to refill my rack was to use one of the large clear plastic syringes, about 1" diam and 6" long, with a 3/4' piece of appropriate sized clear water tubing pressed on the front. Its easy to fill by sucking the oil into it, plugs right on the nipple in the rack, and even allows you to see how much oil you are using. Got my syringe at a flea market for about a buck and had the tubing on hand.
Bill Cole
Bill Cole

This thread was discussed between 20/09/2008 and 04/10/2008

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