That was a great description, Charley. I must admit I feel nervous when
people describe just injecting oil into one of the gaiters -- it doesn't
seem like that would get the job done. I used the method you described
when I bought a new rack (several years ago), since I wanted to be sure
that all internal surfaces were lubed.
Charley & Peggy Robinson had this to say:
>
> I replaced the steering rack gaiters (boots in US) 'tother day. tried
>to fill the gaiters with gear oil while installing (messy); I wasn't
>sure there was enough oil in the rack using this method, so I did a
>little research in the manuals and on the mgcars.org.uk website
>archives.
>
> The manuals tell us to fill the rack thru a zerk fitting, using an oil
>gun I've only seen pictures of (G). I know, Moss used to sell them....
>Well, according to the website, that zerk fitting was discontinued after
>around '67. Anyone have a later model with the fitting? My '69 doesn't
>have one.
>
> Anyhoo, the consensus in the archive was to fill the rack thru the
>damper hole in the top of the rack. You remove the yoke cover plate (two
>bolts, easily accessed from under the car), making sure not to lose the
>shim and take out the yoke, spring and damper (I used a small wire hook
>to pull the yoke up and out). As I suspected to be the case, I couldn't
>see any oil in the rack. So I poured in a few ounces and turned the
>steering wheel from lock to lock, poured in some more, etc, etc.
>
> When the rack is full, the gaiter act like bellows pumps. When the
>steering is turned right the right gaiter is extended and the left one
>is collapsed. This pumps the oil thru the rack from left to right.
>When the steering is turned left the opposite pumpimg action occurs.
>Pretty neat, huh? All that squeezing and relaxing of the boots must
>also serve to lube the tierod balls and seats.
>
> Care must be taken not to overfill the rack, as this can cause a
>gaiter to burst due to abnormally high internal pressure because there's
>nowhere for the excess oil to go. When the rack, viewed from the top,
>is about half immersed in oil with the steering centered, it's about
>right (about 8 oz from dry, as mine was).
>
> Then you put back the damper, spring and yoke, put the cover back on
>(don't lose that shim!), clean up the mess and you're done. Er, except
>for greasing the front suspension and setting the car on the ground,
>that is. (G)
>
> Happy Independence Day to all,
>
> Charley Robinson
> Kerrville, TX
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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