10 replies to this topic

[jay1981]

I've got a few bits and bobs to do on the Mini for the upcoming MOT, i want to give it a grease up before I take it in. The thing is I can't remember how to fill the grease gun, I use grease from the tub, not the cartridges.  

I seemed to be able to fill the gun once before, wasn't really very successful, was almost like the gun had loads of air pockets in it?? An idiots guide (with pictures  ) would be VERY useful!

Thanks Guys!

 

 

[BusheyTrader]

What type of grease gun do you have?

 

I have the type that's about 8 to 12" long, has a lever trigger going down the side of it, the nozzle at the bottom and a handle at the top..

 

Ideally the tub of grease has a plastic disc (with a large hole in the middle) sitting on top of the grease. Undo the end of the grease gun that the nozzle is attached to.  Then place the open end of the gun on top of the disc that's on top of the grease in your tub.  Pull up on the grease gun handle at the top and the grease should be sucked up into the gun.  Replace the nozzle end of the grease gun then once in place push the handle back into the gun.  Don't do it the other way round or the grease will shoot out.

 

If you're lucky there will be no mess.  If you have a different type of gun then I can't help - sorry.

 

Adam

[One step at a time]

+1 on what type of grease gun you have.
Most use a pre filled cartridge that you place inside.

[jay1981]

The grease gun I have is just a cheap draper one, very similar to the one you describe..

 

 

I have the type that's about 8 to 12" long, has a lever trigger going down the side of it, the nozzle at the bottom and a handle at the top..

 

 

 

 

I would prefer to use the grease cartridges, but have changed the plunger around inside the gun to use the bulk grease, because thats what I had at the time.  I have since lost the instructions to the gun to be able to change it back to use the cartridges!

[BusheyTrader]

I'm pretty sure that mine is an old Draper grease gun. It was never set up to take cartridges so have filled it as described. I originally bought it to grease the steering rack on my TR7V8. It works but there's not a lot of space under the bonnet to work the lever.

[Dr s]

Squidge the grease in, pull the chain down til its stiff and lock it over. Stick it on a nipple, pump it and open the bleed nipple until it gives a wee squirt. Then close the nipple and pump. 

[brownspeed]

I'm pretty sure that mine is an old Draper grease gun. It was never set up to take cartridges so have filled it as described. I originally bought it to grease the steering rack on my TR7V8. It works but there's not a lot of space under the bonnet to work the lever.

TR7 V8???? nice motor sir.

You can get extension tubes/ hoses to enable the grease gun to be located so you can move the handle.

Edited by brownspeed, 08 February 2015 - 05:01 PM.

[Wigeon Incognito]

To avoid air locks make sure you keep pushing the grease into the chamber whilst pushing out any bubbles as you go, then when you screw the cylinder on don't screw it on tightly to begin with. Just screw it on loosely, release the spring, and give it a few pumps to squeeze any last bits of air out before screwing it on tightly.

Matt.

[Gr4h4m]

To avoid air locks make sure you keep pushing the grease into the chamber whilst pushing out any bubbles as you go, then when you screw the cylinder on don't screw it on tightly to begin with. Just screw it on loosely, release the spring, and give it a few pumps to squeeze any last bits of air out before screwing it on tightly.

Matt.

 

 

There should be a bleed screw at the top front to allow you to bleed the air out

[jay1981]

Thanks for the replies guys, will pick up a tub of grease and try again.  Now for the next question! Once I have filled the gun, the next mission is to grease up the mini! Do I just push the nozzle of the grease gun over the nipple and pump away?

 

Any tips before i try? One of the nipples on the radius arm looks like it is blocked with underbody wax, is that a problem, I did think of using a pin or something to try to clean it out   

[Wigeon Incognito]

If you need to unblock the nipple just screw it out.

Other than that just push on and pump. Don't try to pull it straight off though, it won't happen. To remove it lean the nozzle over to one side then twist and pull - it should come off fairly easily although new guns can be a little stiff.

Matt.