Yes the trunnion lubrication is poor. There is a hole in the trunnion
housing that feeds thru to the grease nipple. It is located right in the
middle where the gap would be between the bushings. Not a big deal
because once you fill the gap, there is no place for the grease to go as
the bushing clearance seems to be too tight to take any grease. When I
greased mine, the grease came out around the axle bearing but none come
out around the bushing seals.
But what do I know. I'm the DCO (dumb current owner). I've been driving
around all summer without the steel tube (just the bolt going thru the
bushings). I can't figure out how I'd ever do such a DUMB thing. There
were no symptoms that anything was amiss. I only found it by accident
when I was adjusting the emergency brakes. At first I thought the
bushings were shot. What a surprise to find the tube missing. Now that
is DCO.
Vic Whitmore
76 Spitfire
Thornhill, Ontario
Atwell Haines wrote:
>
> At 08:53 AM 12/4/98 -0500, Vic Whitmore wrote:
> >Glenn, my Haynes says remove the plug, replace with a grease nipple and
> >use grease. That is the job I've got to do this weekend...replace right
> >rear trunnion bushings.
> >
> Vic, I must agree with Glenn, the grease fittings front and rear do not
> provide any lubrication to the lower pivot bolts of the trunnions.
>
> IIRC, grease is to be packed inside the 'gap' between the nylon bushes
> during assembly. But it doesn't last forever.
>
> Is there a way to lubricate these things without removing the bolt and/or
> distance tubes? ISTR that Chris Lillja mentioned that he disassembles and
> lubes his annually. But I don't recall seeing that in the Bentley
> maintenance section!
>
> Atwell Haines
> '79 Spitfire
> NEW THREAD: Bet my Spitfire squeaks more than Tim's rotary Spit! NYAA
> NYAA NYAA! :)
>
> >Glenn Trunnell wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi everyone,
> >>
> >> I am currently rebuilding my rear suspension and am in the process of
> >> replacing the rear trunion bushings. My question is: are these nylon
> >> bushings lubricated either during the installation or later. The grease
> >> nipple on the rear trunions seems to only provide grease to the axle as it
> >> passes through the trunion. I don't see any passage for grease to the
> >> bushings. How about the front trunion bushings? I know that you use 90w
> >> oil in the grease fitting but how about on the bushings? Thanks for any
> >> advice.
> >>
> >> Glenn Trunnell
> >> 79 Spitfire
> >
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