Hi Francis, Try soaking the felt seal for a few days in engine oil also make
sure that the area where the seal fits and the passage ways leading to where
the seal fits are clean, polished and lubricated.
On the question of oil versus grease, oil wins every time. Grease is not
"fluid " and will collect at the extreems of movement, usually away from
where it is wanted, oil keeps moving. Do not forget to fit new seal boots
and clips to keep the oil in.
Regards
David Tinker
----- Original Message -----
From: Francis Precht <fprecht@mail.frostburg.edu>
To: <mg-t@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 5:08 PM
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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