Francis,
Page 86 of "The T Type Restoration Handbook", 1993 edition, states:
"The original lube charts call for the use of gear oil in the TD/TF/Y
steering rack, but modern multi-purpose lithium grease works jus as well
and isn't as messy".
Detractors will argure that the manual calls for oil and only oil should
be used. They claim that the inside ends of the tie rod links don't get
lubricated with grease.
I suspect it doesn't make much difference because there are many cars
running with grease and many with oil. I would use oil if everything is
sealed well, but if the oil doesn't stay in, I'd go with the grease and
not worry about it.
Ben
54 TF 1500
----- Original Message -----
From: Francis Precht <fprecht@mail.frostburg.edu>
To: <mg-t@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 9:08 AM
Subject: steering pinion shaft seal
> Hi All,
> I'm back for another one of those insider tips from the experts.
>
> I've diassembled and cleaned the steering rack and associated pinion
> shaft. My basket case 52 TD came with badly deteriorated rubber rack
> seal 'boots' and a missing seal on the pinion shaft and after a
> transcontinental trip I feared severe grit contamination of the
steering
> rack.
>
> I have 2 questions:
> 1) There HAS to be a trick to installing the felt seal on the pinion
> shaft where it exits the housing. There is a groove there, and I
tried
> putting the seal in first then inserting the pinion shaft - the fatter
> end of the shaft forces the seal out. I've tried inserting the seal
> from the 'top' after the shaft is installed - nope-- not enough
> clearance. I've tried placing the seal on the shaft then inserting
the
> whole thing -nope--the passageway gets smaller and stops the seal from
> progressing. So.......what's the trick here ????
>
> 2) What's the current thinking on oil vs. grease inside the rack ? I
> know that originally 90W oil was used, but numerous times grease was
> injected thru the nipple on the rack front. I've also read that once
> apart and cleaned, go with oil as this was the original configuration,
> but I also seem to remember a thread past stating modern greases are
> much superior. Is there a difference in steering resistance with
grease
> ? Thoughts anyone ??
> Again, thanks for all assistance,
> Bud
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