My $0.02 worth
Doing a proper front-end lube clean-up really requires a general
disassembly, especially the trunnion. That makes for the easiest and
best job of cleaning. Naturally, this is a good time to replace all
the front-end bushings ... and the upper balljoints... and the tie-rod
ends ... and the steering gaiters, since the tie-rod ends are off....
I suggest shotgunning the whole suspension because as soon as you
unscrew the trunnion, you throw the suspension completely out of
alignment, so you might as well do everything now, and only align
once.
As some of us have found, removing, cleaning, and relubing the
trunnion, and screwing it to the proper tightness, offsets the camber
several degrees positive. Replacing the trunnion (which usually isn't
necessary because the unit is engineered to wear slightly, and be
adjusted for the wear by screwing it in -- that's why it's bronze with
a tapered thread) is usually not required except when they are damaged
or excessively worn. But removal always wanks the alignment.
If you're not too fussy about alignment, you can get everything within
a degree or two using a carpenter's level and a pair of tape measures.
I won't tell you how, because if it's not obvious you have no
business adjusting the suspension on a shopping cart, much less on a
Spitfire.
Hey, Dave Williamson's suggestion of using a ketchup bottle for
adding the oil was excellent! I like a small grease gun because it
gives greater pressure, but these are messy to store afterwards. The
low-pressure, tidy ketchup bottle is a great idea for topping off the
oil in the suspension joints, once you've replaced everything.
Standard disclaimers apply
Jim
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