9 replies to this topic

[JJC12009]

Hello,

I've found myself in possession of a 1996 Mini Sprite. Having come across some grease Nipples on the car I'm wondering are these still "functional" and require maintenance on a slightly later model such as this? They seem to have underseal over them and don't look to have been touched for a while. Please can you advise me on if these should require maintenance?

[nicklouse]

Yes. All minis have grease nipples and they need regular greasing.

[whistler]

If they're blocked up with paint then you can unscrew them and clean the nipple. Then test push some grease through them before refitting.

[stuart bowes]

or just replace them https://www.ebay.co....le kit&_sacat=0

 

upper wish bone / control arms (front)

upper and lower ball joints on front hubs

radius arms (rear)

and in some cases although apparently not necessary (?) the older style of hi-lows have them 

(not aware of any others ? i'm sure someone will add to that if I've missed something)

 

without grease the bearings/bushes/balljoints will dry out and wear badly so yes definitely keep them filled

 

use 45 deg angled ones for for where access is awkward 

 

use the right imperial spanner obviously or you'll just chew up the edges and they'll be a pig to shift

Edited by stuart bowes, 30 October 2023 - 10:18 AM.

[whistler]

or just replace them https://www.ebay.co....le kit&_sacat=0

 

upper wish bone / control arms (front)

upper and lower ball joints on front hubs

radius arms (rear)

and in some cases although apparently not necessary (?) the older style of hi-lows have them 

(not aware of any others ? i'm sure someone will add to that if I've missed something)

 

without grease the bearings/bushes/balljoints will dry out and wear badly so yes definitely keep them filled

 

use 45 deg angled ones for for where access is awkward 

 

use the right imperial spanner obviously or you'll just chew up the edges and they'll be a pig to shift

You need to establish if your grease nipples are imperial or metric. My wife's '84 had metric ones I discovered after I'd bought a set of imperial.

[coopertaz]

clean underseal of and push some grease through should hear or see if come out past seals, grease at least every spring after winter lay up. also make sure nipple reseals and doesn't leak back out.

[stuart bowes]

Ah ok fair enough I figured they would all the same my bad

 

you've made me question mine now .. it's an 88 and imperial ones seemed to fit ?  although they were a bit tight to get all the way in... they're certainly not gonna fall out anyway

Edited by stuart bowes, 30 October 2023 - 12:53 PM.

[bangermadness08]

Reading the thread think the cars nipples had been greased around 3yr ago.

I have current hi low set up from mini sport. Do they need to be greased think they have the nipples on them?

Also to grease them is it simply push the tool on and push grease through or do they need to be unscrewed slightly

[stuart bowes]

just connect up and squirt, easy

[coopertaz]

just clean them first so you only push grease in, and leave some on after to help protect it