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Post by keithbatkins on Jun 21, 2011 16:08:59 GMT 2
So the real questions are 1. Is Castrol MS Grease the correct one to use in the steering-box ? 2. If 'yes' how much should I put in ? 3. Can I put the grease straight into the steering- box or do I need to take it apart and clean it out ? 4. If the answer to 3. is yes......how long does it take to clean up in the shower afterwards if you use the compressor/air gun option !
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jun 21, 2011 16:17:46 GMT 2
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I think Vincent reccommended NGLI 00 or 000 grease though.
I would just put the grease in and see how it goes, all your SAE has leaked out, right ??
Ari
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Post by ronnie on Jun 21, 2011 17:32:20 GMT 2
Hi Keith
1 Vincent will recommend CV joint grease. 2 Fill the box right up. 3 Removing the top is the easiest way, but you will need to remove the locknut and the 4 top bolts, then spin the lid off. If you are lucky the adjusting bolt will stay in the slot, but if it comes out it is very easy to slide back in. Have a wee read at the manual if you are not sure. 4 I would imagine the box will be clean inside but if you decide to wash it out with compressed air it will take you at least 1 hour to shower and possibly as long again to degrease the Niva and wash it ;D. I know from experience.
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Jun 21, 2011 18:03:49 GMT 2
Hi Keith
I would go with what Vincent recommend, but I think you can use almost any kind of grease like the MS you bought.
Use a large to medium size syringe to fill the box. I left about 2cm of oil in the box just to make it a bit more sloppy but be aware that some of that oily slop will probably escape from the box as you go. Just fill it up with some more grease until it settles in the box.
I have a mix of good old LM and CV grease with a bit of gear oil.
Marius
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spikes
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Post by spikes on Jun 21, 2011 19:16:23 GMT 2
Hi Keith If you find the syringe does not pass the grease, try a Vet for a large dosing syringe.Those come with an outlet of about 5-7mm and a decent rubber plunger seal. I've seen ones with a T-shaped plunger handle.That should be able able to pass the grease. Keep us updated please.I have been eyeing the steering box on the NIVA as it remained squeaky clean(Secretly I am hoping it already has grease in) regards Spikes
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Post by marius on Jun 21, 2011 20:29:44 GMT 2
Spikes maybe it is time to open up Pandora's box and see what's up ;D
I can't remember the size but use a suitable imperial socket and improvise a dipstick (plastic tie down) and see if anything is in there.
The dosing syringe is perfect for the job!
Marius
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Post by ronnie on Jun 21, 2011 20:37:12 GMT 2
Hi Spikes
I think you should do as Marius suggests as you may have oil, grease or nothing in the box ;D
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Jun 21, 2011 21:12:03 GMT 2
One interesting thing I have noticed is that on the LHD box the square oil filler plug is on the lower half of the housing whilst on the RHD it is near the top above the breather.
This would actually allow you to overfill the box but you will probably loose most of it through the breather hole anyway. Well it is actually an adjuster screw but I guess it also serves as a breather?
Another thing I have noticed is that very few local Nivas still has the black protective cap covering the breather hole. I still have mine but it has a crack in it from all the heat but still doing it's job.
Marius
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Post by keithbatkins on Jun 21, 2011 22:49:05 GMT 2
Spikes, as requested an update. Filled up the box using the syringe from the chemist and it worked just fine. I had the grease in the house for a few hours so it was at room temperature (about 20 degrees celsius) and it pushed in with no problem. I was too much of a coward to take the top off ! Took about 120 ml ( x 2 syringes) to reach the bottom of the filler hole and I didn't want to overfill. It all seemed to go well and if I can do it........... I'll check in about a week and will top up if needed. Thanks Guys for all the replies and advice....it's nice to know that I am no longer alone !
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Post by marius on Jun 22, 2011 7:33:29 GMT 2
Hi Keith After your next trip (when things have cooled down) if there is no grease leaking - try and put some more in until it reaches the neck of the oil filler. 120ml is a fair amount - you need about 180ml but there could be some oil in to make up the difference. Most of these boxes leak anyway so you might not get that amount in before it starts to leak? Yes it is nice to be part of a larger community! Marius
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Jun 22, 2011 8:34:21 GMT 2
Hello Keith
My preference for the steering box would be a sloppy grease (It should run when held sideways) As long as the grease is an EP (Extreme Pressure) grease you will be fine. The Castrol MS is a Molybdenum Disulfide grease which is perfect for the sliding friction found on the steering box.
Most greases sold over the counter are NLGI 2 (Stiff grease).
I am too scared to open my steering box as this will probably be the next item to require urgent attention.
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Post by ronnie on Jun 22, 2011 9:23:10 GMT 2
Hi Vincent
Land Rover used to fill the swivel pin housing with EP90 and many years ago they changed to a special grease, you may know what kind. The pins are partly lubricated by splash and this grease fulfills this, and if the seals were leaking previously the most you see is a bit of "dampness "
Ronnie
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spikes
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Post by spikes on Jun 22, 2011 19:18:43 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie Those sweating knuckle seals on the Series III makes my steering box suspect. It is on the list of "to do items" for this weekend Thanks for the feedback, Keith!
Spikes
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Jun 22, 2011 21:52:02 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie.
I have changed the oil on the wheel ball of my landy also to grease. when I accuire the grease from land rover. the sales person said that it is castrol cv joint grease. At midas it is much cheaper then at land rover.
Regards.
Hercules
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Jun 28, 2011 22:27:24 GMT 2
I finally got the steering box filler plug out and proceeded to fill the box with SAE 90.
For the day that the oil was in the box - Bliss !!! relatively light steering. Noticed that the oil runs out of the box almost as fast as I pour it in. Next stop 000 grease.
Regards Vincent
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Jun 28, 2011 22:28:38 GMT 2
The syringe that Marius mentioned is called a Catheter tip... No need to cringe blokes
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Nikki Lada
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Post by Nikki Lada on Jul 4, 2011 7:28:31 GMT 2
As Keith claimed ‘not to have a mechanical bone in his body’ but still managed to locate and fill his steering box, I decided to look for Nikita’s at the weekend. Not only did I manage to find it but I also found the filler hole as well but was horrified to find it was empty! As she was serviced not too long ago, and I specifically requested that this be checked, I can only assume it wasn’t! Having got so far I’m reasonably confident I’ll be able to manage the syringe bit and I must confess to feeling rather pleased with myself! When I first saw where the box was located, with numerous pipes and wires which seemed to block all access, I never thought I would be able to get in there but eventually I just stuck my hand underneath them all and actually undid the filler screw by hand! ;D I saw no cracks and it didn’t feel loose but are there any other ‘symptoms’ that would indicate possible problems with the steering box? Thanks a stack NIKKI
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Post by marius on Jul 4, 2011 7:56:56 GMT 2
Hi Nikki
You are doing just fine. There might be a small amount of oil left in the box - it would be nice if the oil can mix in with the grease. That will happen automatically so don't worry about it.
I would think your box is still fine just make sure you tighten the filler screw properly.
Marius
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Post by ronnie on Jul 4, 2011 9:26:12 GMT 2
Hi Nikki
There is an old saying "where there is a will there is a way." ;D
Ronnie
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Jul 4, 2011 16:56:25 GMT 2
Well Done Nikki !!!
You were at least able to undo the filler cap.
I am sure that a steroid Junkie used to own Rusti as I had to use MANY of my muscles to undo the filler cap.
To date I have never managed to get the transfer case drain plug out.
Regards Vincent
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Post by marius on Jul 4, 2011 18:32:22 GMT 2
Hi Vincent The first oil change om my TC the plug was so tight I had to go to a workshop to put it on a lift. It was still a huge struggle. The guy had to hit a lip into plug in order not to strip it! It took all the extensions in the world and a couple of big guys to to finally crack it. Marius
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Post by jaco1978 on Jul 4, 2011 18:52:14 GMT 2
Marius, that is scary!!! I hate over tight.
Was it rusted or over-tightened?
With rope work there is a saying: "A good knot is a knot easily undone." Please note, not easily undoing itself. ;D
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Post by Charles on Jul 4, 2011 20:26:00 GMT 2
I have seen some gearbox plugs so tight that it cracked the casing.
Charles
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Post by marius on Jul 4, 2011 20:44:22 GMT 2
Jaco that was over tightened to hell and gone! The funny thing is the plug on the gearbox nearly fell out on the way back home - just after we bought it! Even more funny - I would not have noticed if it wasn't for the oil blowing through the breather on the rear diff! My first thought was that the gearbox was leaking oil and I discovered the plug was nearly falling out I can not begin to tell you the shoddy workmanship we had to endure during the first year of the warranty. Marius
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Post by keithbatkins on Jul 5, 2011 16:06:23 GMT 2
Hi Guys.....had exactly the same thing happen to me when I decided to check the transfer case oil level for the one and only time. I had to take the Niva (must find a 'proper name for him /her soon) to a local garage and several very large guys attempted to undo both the level and the drain plugs without success. They got the level plug out but gave up on the drain plug. What they did was to suck the oil out with a special pump and then top back up to the level. Guess that is what I shall have to do next time the oil needs changing. I intend to use the syringe I got to put the grease into the steering box to suck the oil out of the transfer case by attaching a short length of plastic tubing to the catheter tip. That shouldn't bring too many tears to my eyes.
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Post by jaco1978 on Jul 5, 2011 16:31:08 GMT 2
Hey Keith, that sounds like a good plan using the catheter to suck the oil out.
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Post by marius on Jul 5, 2011 16:56:13 GMT 2
Keith that sounds like a lot of hard work to me ;D Marius
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Post by keithbatkins on Jul 5, 2011 17:03:08 GMT 2
Hi Marius, it's either the 'catheter route' or trying to use the wet and dry vacuum cleaner.....and I don't think that that will be a popular option in this household. Now that I'm retired I've got plenty of time to play around with this sort of thing. Don't know about the hard work bit though......I might have to go and a have a short liedown and think about it before I start ;D Regards, Keith.
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Post by ronnie on Jul 5, 2011 18:10:55 GMT 2
Hi Kieth
I am glad I am not the only retired person on the Forum ;D ;D ;D
Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Jul 5, 2011 18:25:57 GMT 2
Ronnie dont forget about Ari!!
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