7 replies to this topic

[soloflite]

Hi, I've got a 1969 MKII mini and have been restoring it for quite some time.  I seen through out the forum that you oil or grease it, however I've no clue whether or not mine should be oiled or greased.  From the looks of it, there is some old grease in there, but no signs of oil.

 

Is there a way to tell what racks used oil and what racks used grease? 

 

I've attached a couple pics of the rack in question.

 

thanks.

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Edited by soloflite, 16 November 2014 - 07:04 PM.

[Cooperman]

So long as the rack is well lubricated with oil it does not matter too much.

Originally an EP80 gear oil was specified, but I believe later racks were deemed OK with engine oil.

A 20w50 will be fine in any rack and to add oil the best way is to jack the car up on its right-hand side as high as you can get it, then undo the LH rack gaiter and add oil using an oil can so that it runs down past the LH end bush.

You don't need to over-fill it.

[soloflite]

This is an earlier rack, not a later rack.  it's original 1969 rack.  When I disassembled the car, no oil ever came out and the gators were like new.  Don't mean prior to me getting it, that the prior owner failed to oil it.  It's clean inside and there was no slop in the rack prior to stripping the car down for restoration.  I drove it for about 3 months. 

 

Haynes manual shows either grease or oil, but don't mention what racks used either.  How can you tell?  I don't want to put oil in this rack if it was originally just grease or vice versa.

 

thanks.

[Cooperman]

The racks are basically all the same from 1959 to 2000.

If it has no lubrication at all, then it needs some oil adding. Use a 20w50 mineral oil and make sure the rack has 1/3rd of a pint of oil in it.

Then it will be fine.

[soloflite]

Thanks, should i do it while the rack is outta the car or do it after i install the rack? I also have 80w90 gear oil, will that also do ok.. cant find the sae 90 oil

Edited by soloflite, 16 November 2014 - 08:16 PM.

[Cooperman]

It is easier with the rack out of the car as you can stand the rack up straight, pour in 1/3rd pint of oil, and 80w90 gear oil will be fine, then fit the gaiter and the rack is set to fit.

[Spider]

I've always found the racks last way longer when filled with Oil. I think they did try grease in an effort to reduce some of the oil leaks. 200 ml of 90 grade gearbox oil does nicely. If the rack is fitted, you can pump it in through one of the gaiters with an oil can, but it's slow and you need to let them burb. It's easiest if you get the oil in through the driver's side.

 

<edit: It's always best if you can strip and clean the grease out of a rack before filling with Oil, however it will still be OK if the grease is left in there.>

Edited by Moke Spider, 16 November 2014 - 11:33 PM.

[dklawson]

My understanding (of both history and repeating advice from others) is the same as Moke Spider's grease was used to keep "captive" lubrication that would not leak away when the gaiters wore out.  I have several acquaintances who swear that the oil provides better lubrication when you can keep it inside.  The way I filled my car's rack many years ago was to use a pump oiler.  I pumped until it was "dry" then added the specified amount of oil and pumped what I thought was 1/2 in one gaiter, then switched to the other side and pumped until only air came out.