Triumph Repair: Steering, grease nipples, grease formulations

Question
QUESTION: Jim:

You have helped me a lot with my 65 Spitfire and I have two more questions for you.  

First, I was putting the original steering wheel back on the Spitfire and noticed that there is about a half inch of "play."  The wheel will pull out from the housing about one half inch even when it is completeley bolted down. I can't tell from my Haynes manual why this is the case.

Second, I applied new grease in all the appropriate places except the front trunnions.  The manual says use 90W gear oil but the trunnions seem to have grease nipples already installed.  I suppose a previous owner probably put in grease.  How do I get the oil in?  Are there "oil nipples?"  Would the grease already in there keep the oil from penetrating?

Thanks, as always.

Jeff

ANSWER: Jeff,

1)  Steering column "free play".  There are a couple of places to check.  The front end of the column is splined into the steering coupler which is splined onto the steering rack.  If either bolt is loose or missing then you'll get free play there.

There's also a "safety" slide down near the firewall inside the footwell.  If the clamp is loose you'll get some movement there.

The quickest way to diagnose is to have a helper move the wheel (gently!!) and look at the column to see where the movement is.

2)  What you're seeing as "grease nipples" on the vertical link were originally used for filling the trunnions with oil.  Some older grease guns will allow you to fill the gun with oil, and there were dedicated oil pumps too.

If you have filled the trunnion with grease then you're correct, the oil won't penetrate properly.  

Older grease formulations used to harden with age and stop lubricating properly, hence the 90wt instead.  Modern formulations are better, although it's a good idea to pump fresh grease through on a semi-regular basis.  Just remember to wipe the excess off of the trunnion body... it'll either attract dirt or fall off into the wheel making a mess.


Cheers,

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again.  I found an oil gun that did the trick.  Here is another problem!  My transmission is shifing hard and second gear is making a lot of noise.  It's always made slight grinding when downshifing, but I seem to be having trouble finding the gears.  I put synthetic gear oil in last summer and I notice a occasional spotting leak from the transmission.  I plan to check to oil level and maybe put in some old reliable Castrol Hypoy C gear oil.  Should I be checking the clutch master cylinder also?

Thanks

Jeff

Answer
Jeff,

You might check/bleed the clutch system, if you're not fully disengaging the clutch that would explain the difficulty in shifting gears.  Usually a dead giveaway is trying to get into reverse as there's not synchro to help mesh things....

As to noise in 2nd gear?  Castrol Hypoy C may help... but if it continues it may be time for a rebuild.  Or at least upgrading your roadside emergency plan ;)


Cheers,

Jim