I got some 3/8 UNF grease nipples and fitted them to all the steering joints and kingpins. There was not a drop of oil going anywhere, each kingpin and ball joint was bone dry, and has been for a long time.
Yet another section badly restored by the previous owner.
I will get round to changing all the oilers to nipples, then I know they are lubricated.
I think it best to leave the oil reservoir in place, just disconnect the vacuum pipe, it will still look original under the bonnet.
Auto lube
Re: Auto lube
Well...
Two points:
The thread is 3/8 BSF and using UNF can damage it.
The passages are too narrow for grease - they had been designed for grade 50 oil.
The fault in the lubrication system may be a rather simple one like a cloged filter or a faulty diaphargram. These are relativly simple to fix.
Two points:
The thread is 3/8 BSF and using UNF can damage it.
The passages are too narrow for grease - they had been designed for grade 50 oil.
The fault in the lubrication system may be a rather simple one like a cloged filter or a faulty diaphargram. These are relativly simple to fix.
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SNOBHILL39
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:10 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Re: Auto lube
Just testing,
I bought some straight and 45' angled 3/8 BSF nipples from a seller on ebay and it greases up well.
Oil is moving in some places, but not to the steering where I was more concerned. At least I KNOW it is now lubricated.
I bought some straight and 45' angled 3/8 BSF nipples from a seller on ebay and it greases up well.
Oil is moving in some places, but not to the steering where I was more concerned. At least I KNOW it is now lubricated.
Gerry F capon
Re: Auto lube
The steering parts are all oiled through flexible rubber hoses. See picture:
(39,40, 41, 42). Are they in good shape in your car? If they are already disconnected you can verify if oil is comung out of them.
You can see more pictures here:
http://wp.me/pXLKy-g6 and in the chapters following it.
(39,40, 41, 42). Are they in good shape in your car? If they are already disconnected you can verify if oil is comung out of them.
You can see more pictures here:
http://wp.me/pXLKy-g6 and in the chapters following it.
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SNOBHILL39
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:10 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Re: Auto lube
The car restoration by the previous owner was bodged in many areas, autolube being 1 of them, copper brake pipes with hoses and jubilee clips is not the best looking set up. If you had a look at it on my car you would know what I mean. I am happy to grease once a year then I know it's lubricated.
Gerry F capon
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chris dancey
- Posts: 386
- Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:20 pm
- Location: Brighton & Paphos, Cyprus
Re: Auto lube
Hi Gerry,
I have to agree that grease in the oil system will only block it and not lubricate the vital parts. On my various restorations ( including taking over one from a ' professional ' restorer who had fitted grease nipples ) I have had to dismantle the Luvax system with blocked pipes and melt out the grease using a blow lamp. Evidence was that the grease did'nt make much headway anyway. My recent article in ' Freewheel ' describes how the whole system is available ( including brass pipe ) from Fiennes Restorations. I have fitted a complete new system to Snowdrop and exhaustive checking using a pressurised oil gun showed that oil was indeed at every point at the pressure valve, yet none had leaked past.
The oilways in the king pins are too narrow for grease and were designed for straight gear oil and I would suggest that there is probably some grease blockage holding up the passage of oil in your car. If the valves are blocked, they can be cleaned by WD40 and tapping the valve on a wooden surface often loosens the dirt, if not, my article lists the conversion numbers of their replacement valves ( Fiennes call them drip plugs ) which are manufactured in house to a very high standard.
If you need any help let me know,
Chris
I have to agree that grease in the oil system will only block it and not lubricate the vital parts. On my various restorations ( including taking over one from a ' professional ' restorer who had fitted grease nipples ) I have had to dismantle the Luvax system with blocked pipes and melt out the grease using a blow lamp. Evidence was that the grease did'nt make much headway anyway. My recent article in ' Freewheel ' describes how the whole system is available ( including brass pipe ) from Fiennes Restorations. I have fitted a complete new system to Snowdrop and exhaustive checking using a pressurised oil gun showed that oil was indeed at every point at the pressure valve, yet none had leaked past.
The oilways in the king pins are too narrow for grease and were designed for straight gear oil and I would suggest that there is probably some grease blockage holding up the passage of oil in your car. If the valves are blocked, they can be cleaned by WD40 and tapping the valve on a wooden surface often loosens the dirt, if not, my article lists the conversion numbers of their replacement valves ( Fiennes call them drip plugs ) which are manufactured in house to a very high standard.
If you need any help let me know,
Chris
1934 ( 1935 model ) P1 '10' Saloon RD 6160
1935 P1 '10' Saloon ( originally JB 6729 ) now VSJ 156
1946 P2 '14' Sports Saloon KPG 855
1933 MG J2 Cycle Wing Model APB 560
1933 MG J2 Competition Model ALX 124
1935 P1 '10' Saloon ( originally JB 6729 ) now VSJ 156
1946 P2 '14' Sports Saloon KPG 855
1933 MG J2 Cycle Wing Model APB 560
1933 MG J2 Competition Model ALX 124
Re: Auto lube
When I bought my '46 Ten, 30 years ago, the lubrication system was missing and I couldn't be bothered replacing it. Over the years I've replaced the steering joints & king pins with ones designed to be greased. My car isn't original but it works fine and I don't mind spending 10 minutes with a grease gun once a year.
Re: Auto lube
If you look on the diagram above, you will find out that there are 24 oiling points. Often the springs shackles would not pass the grease to the bottom rear springs pins so you have to add another 4 grease nipples. Doing all of them in 10 minutes is hard work.
Re: Auto lube
Hard work certainly, but still achievable, I've just greased my car in just under 10 minutes including jacking it up, but not including the 10 minutes I spent wondering where I'd put my grease gun lol.
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SNOBHILL39
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:10 pm
- Location: Suffolk
Re: Auto lube
At the moment I am happy to have grease in the joints, it went in and oused out easy enough. I think it's the first time they have had any lubrication for quite some time.
Yes, I agree it's not original but original does not necessarily mean working properly. Maybe at a later date I may try and re-fit the auto lube properly not like the previous owner did and bodge it up with bits of pipe and jubilee clips, cable ties and most of all, no oil getting to where it should go.
Yes, I agree it's not original but original does not necessarily mean working properly. Maybe at a later date I may try and re-fit the auto lube properly not like the previous owner did and bodge it up with bits of pipe and jubilee clips, cable ties and most of all, no oil getting to where it should go.
Gerry F capon