9 replies to this topic

[mattpurves1990]

Ignore my ignorance. I’m on the understand that it makes for a smoother ride? What is it lubricating? Thanks

[MatthewsDad]

It's simply introducing lube into the front upper suspension arm, the ball joints at the top and bottom of the hub assembly and, at the rear, the radius arm bearing. They are all rotating or pivoting parts hence the need for grease lubrication to reduce wear.

[stuart bowes]

why lubricate any moving part.. smoother, quieter, longer lasting

 

 

obviously don't get any on the disc or pads

Edited by stuart bowes, 20 May 2022 - 09:59 PM.

[Spider]

Hi Matt - great to see your face around here

It is I think a good question and maybe it's just me here ? but it's not as effective as one would think.

 

When greasing anything in this way, the grease under pressure from the gun is 'lazy' and will always find the path of least resistance.

 

So, any part under the weight of the car will block off any path for the grease to flow and so it will always flow around it.

For this reason, it's important when greasing to put the suspension and hubs in to an 'un-natural' and un-loaded position as is possible, even then, it still doesn't cover all the bits we'd like. This is why the Bush in the Trailing Arms for one example, wear.

It's definitely better than not greasing, don't get me wrong, but I feel based on my own checks, these assemblies do need to be stripped down periodically, clean all the old grease from them, inspect and apply some grease by hand, eg, mashing it in to the needle rollers and coating the internals of the ball joints. For most normal road use, probably about every 6 000 - 12 000 miles would likely be OK.

[MatthewsDad]

Spider good points. Apologies to Matt for a slight thread hijack, but how often do we or should we strip and regrease our wheel bearings? Or do folk generally wait for bearing wear (possibly due to loss of lube?) and then replace? I've just replaced a set of wheel bearings that haven't been touched for 30 years and they weren't too bad.

[Spider]

Spider good points. Apologies to Matt for a slight thread hijack, but how often do we or should we strip and regrease our wheel bearings? Or do folk generally wait for bearing wear (possibly due to loss of lube?) and then replace? I've just replaced a set of wheel bearings that haven't been touched for 30 years and they weren't too bad.

 

On a Mini for most use, they seldom need touching - IF - they are a quality Bearing and if a quality Grease is used. It's probably not a bad idea though to pull them down every 20 000 - 25 000 miles, clean them, check and re-grease.

Going off track on the off track (dark laneways ?) Big Wheel Mokes however do need checking. The Hub and Wheel Bearings are only designed for a 19 - 20" Rolling Dia Wheel. The Mokes run a 23 - 25" wheel and put a lot more load on the wheel bearings. These really need doing every 12 000 - 15 000 miles. If carrying loads, then much shorter. With the trips I do in mine, I find the limit is 6 000 miles before they need doing, at that mileage, the grease is just starting to burn

[sonikk4]

As spider has alluded to, IF a part remains unmodified as per OEM specification and providing its been designed well and with quality bearings then in theory if they are of the sealed type and packed correctly they will last considerably longer.

If you fit bigger wheels than the original design then you are adding extra loads into not only the wheel bearings but other lubricated components as well. ( only talking classic minis here) also a lot does depend d on the grease used as well. The latest modern greases are far superior than early types and will give a degree more time between servicing.

However a servicing schedule is designed in such a way to optimise the life of any grease lubricated part. If not maintained as per schedule then wear can and will set in quicker.

If you get a chance have a look at a modern commercial aircraft undercarriage and look at how many lubrication points there are. Dozens and dozens of them, each one needing periodic servicing. I normally set a team of four on gear lubes and it’s takes them several hours to complete. Blocked grease nipples are not uncommon as well not just on our little cars but on Aircraft as well. don’t ignore them, they are all removable and can be either replaced are cleaned.

[sledgehammer]

When greasing the ball joints

 

I find warming the grease gun helps a bit

 

move the wheels from side to side

 

and grease again
 

when grease oozes out from the joint , check that the old grease is all purged if possible
 

any spent grease , I rub on brake pipes (not flexes) and any rusty looking bits (not discs , or tyres)

 

if you have any problems getting grease into the joint , it may pay to get new nipples , as old ones seem to clog up

 

best of luck

[Quinlan minor]

It's also not a bad idea to purchase a set of rubber caps for the grease nipples (same as bleed nipple caps).

Helps to keep them free from grit and corrosion, which you'll pump in with the grease.

Attached Files

•  Grease Nipple Covers.jpg   19.2K   1 downloads

Edited by Quinlan minor, 21 May 2022 - 10:10 AM.

[sonikk4]

Something else I’m a firm advocate of is wipe off any excess grease. Why create a trap for dirt / grit etc.