Where Should the Grease Emerge?

[Stevie-Heathie]

Let's say that I've decided for now to lube my S3's trunnions and steering rack with grease rather than EP90 (I know I know - but please resist the temptation to open that can of worms!). Never done it before (been done by boys at Lakeside).

Where would you expect to see the old oil / grease emerge when the new stuff is pumped in through the nipple? In the trunnions and in the steering rack?

I have a new grease gun and there a bit of a loose fit on the nipple (oo err) . Until I can see old stuff being displaced I'm not convinced any clean grease is actually going in. Either it's emerging somewhere I can't see or it's not going in.

Best
Steve

[ericbushby]

HI Steve,
On mine it oozes out from under the rubber gaiter on top of the trunnion.
That reminds me to check when it is due. Mines oil, but I will deny having said that !!. I am not a trouble maker.
I cannot help with the rack as I have not had to lubricate it yet since fitting a replacement.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[nomad]

You may need a new quality fitting on you gun. Lots of variation in them now days. You are aware they are supposed to snap on? If you remove the plunger from your gun and hold it upright it will pump 90wt or 140wt that I like to use, just fine. Here in the states some folks use John Deere corn head grease. Its a very thin grease that can still be put in a grease cartridge.
On the trunnion's the oil should come out around the rubber seal at the trunnions top. On the steering rack you shouldn't see any come out if your gaiters are in good shape. Eventually will seep out around the gaiters or steering shaft if you get a lot in.

Kurt.

[Stevie-Heathie]

Yep the gun snaps on but I think my nozzle (technical term!) is for a larger nipple. . . I'll resolve that in due course but in the meantime would be good to know where the grease / oil is supposed to go.
Thanks all

[types26/36]

in the meantime would be good to know where the grease / oil is supposed to go.

As noted grease will come past the rubber seal on the trunnion, it may also come out of the trunnion at the bottom as some trunnions have a small hole in the bottom.
Also as noted it should not come out of the rack unless the rubber boot is split, it will just mix with the oil/grease but dont pump to much in there as it could split the boot. I think I read somewhere three pumps is sufficient done annually.

[nomad]

One other thing to mention. Occasionally the grease nipple will get plugged with old hard grease and i may be necessary to remove it and clean it out along with the passage in what you are trying to grease. I would use a drill bit.
I farm for a living so lots of experience with grease....very little with Lotus!

Kurt

[elansprint71]

I found some little rubber caps which push on to the nipples to keep the cow-shit and grit from sticking to them whilst driving around!
The lubricant (oil that is, Texas tea...) is supposed to go onto the "threads" of the trunnions.

I thought that farmers used Redex on nipples.

[nomad]

Pete, I don't know what Redex is....must be a UK thing! I have always been fond of nipple's though!

Kurt.