MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PICKED THE RIGHT GREASING ARTICLE
FOR YOUR MODEL YEAR ! YOUR CHOICES CAN BE FOUND HERE
UNDER "FRONT SUSPENSION GREASING".
Please note that this configuration was only produced for a short period and not long ago. Over time, the community will become more familiar with them as experience grows. These pages will be updated as warranted. |
The bushes fit in the stub axle tubes, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the stub axle tube. As they do not fill the entire length of the tube, a grease reservoir or "grease holding area" is formed between the two bushes. As the stub axle slides up and down the kingpin, this reservoir greases the kingpin (and therefore the bushes). The stub axle has a grease nipple exactly adjacent to the middle of this reservoir to service and fill this area periodically.
Sometime in late 2006 (?), the Works abandoned the Devol
bushes and returned to using phosphor bronze as bush materiel. However,
these are different from the pre-2002 ones that had a solid inner surface.
This version of the bushes have a large groove carved inside that allows
grease flow. There is a little lip remaining at the end. This lip is supposed
to stop grease exiting the assembly through the groove. Obviously,
the lip requires the bushes to be installed at only one sense..with the
lip at the bottom of the stub axle tube for the lower bush and the lip
facing up for the upper bush. Facing the bushes in the wrong direction
will block the grease that should fill it and allow the entry of grit rather
than grease into the groove.
Other than these codicils, the greasing method is simple. The Morgan Manual recommends 1000 miles for them and here they are right.
Greasing can be done with the car on the ground or on jack stands. A one hand "pistol" greaser can be used. (When I am home, I use a powerful electric grease gun equipped with a flex hose. The device effectively creates an extra hand which makes the job easier.) The grease nipple angle can make it hard to properly center the grease gun but the angle of the grease nipple can be changed to suit can be or, alternatively buy an angled nose for your grease gun. A slight angle will do.
1. Turn the steering wheel until you have the best angle at the nipple,
2. Pump until the grease flows out under the damper plate
(which sits on the stub axle shelf.). (That takes a lot of pumps!)
If the grease flows out the bottom of the stub axle, it is a sign that your car is due for a front end bush and kingpin renewal OR the bottom lips of the bushes have worn away. See the articles in this Manual on that. |
4. Turn the steering wheel and do the other side.
5. Clean away any excess with a rag and, if necessary,
brake cleaning spray. If any grease gets on your adjacent brake rotors,
the effect on braking and steering is dangerous.