Steve,
While no expert on the matter according to the manual the only way to
change or add fluid to the rack is to remove it from the car. There is no
provision for filling - or draining for that matter - other than to remove
the the rack (well, OK, to drain you could just pull the boot, but then
what?). From the manual Section J Page11:
"The steering unit cannot be topped up or filled with oil while it is
fitted to the car"
So, if when the boots were replaced the fluid was never replenished then
that is most likely the reason. As best I can tell that cap you see is
spring loaded, shimmed and provides some form of pressure on the rack. You
should see how others respond, but you might, I say MIGHT be able to slip
loosen the upper part of the boot and with a tipped (as in soft pointed)
nozzle might be able to force fluid in. On the other hand it might pull
loose completely and drain the oil that may in fact actually be in there!!!
Since no one else has responded yet (A holiday of course) and figuring you
might be looking for info I am passing this on. Tom Witt B9470101
----- Original Message -----
From: "SJC Worldwide" <ssage@socal.rr.com>
To: "Tiger Mailing List" <tigers@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2001 7:48 PM
Subject: All Greased Up
> Hello Sunbeamers:
> The steering in my Tiger has gotten progressively "stiffer". In a way
> it's interesting in that it's almost like I have a quicker ration
> steerion rack. I know better, though, as things seem to be progressing
> to tighter (requiring more turning effort) steering. As was suggested
> yesterday, I greased the lower ball joints. I haven't driven the car yet
> to see if it's better (won't until tommorow night) as I'm also doing
> some other cooling system work tonight. My question is, is there
> supposed to be a grease fitting for the upper ball joints too? I
> could'nd find one.
>
> Also, is there a way to check the steering rack oil level with the rack
> attached to the car? I have the radiator "header...overflow" tank
> removed and I have clear access to a few nots and bolts on the top of
> the rack. There's an approx. 1" x 2" cover, slanted forward, with a
> couple of bolts, that I believe are accessable and I wonder if this
> could be where cou can check and fill whatever is in there. Which brings
> me to another question, if it is accessable...what do you fill it with
> and how full? I'm suspicious some action may be needed here since, when
> my new engine went in a few months back new steering rack boots were
> installed (the old ones were cracked) and I wonder if the fluid had
> leaked out.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Steve Sage
> 1967 MK1A
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