TR6 Trunnion lube

[Shaunjc]

So, the R. Bentley shop manual says to fill the trunnion 25% with S.A.E. 90 EP during re-assembly.
Yet, in the Maintenance section of same manual the instruction is to use grease.
Comments?

 

[TR3driver]

Where do you see that in the maintenance section? Mine emphasizes oil every place I found.

 

[Shaunjc]

Page 34, item E, Lower steering swivel.

 

[TR3driver]

Interesting. I see it now, both in the Bentley reprint and an earlier owner's manual. Evidently a typo that it took them some time to notice, since the 75 owner's manual (that I have) has been corrected. Also the text even in the earlier versions is explicit about using oil.

I suspect it doesn't make a great deal of difference; the earlier cars (like my TR3) used grease and seem to get by well enough. The early trunnion design was not oil-tight and so grease is the only choice. But at least in theory, the oil should lubricate better. I would go with oil, if I had the later style trunnions.

In fact, I've even got an oil gun hanging on the wall, with a grease fitting on it. A leftover from the Sports 6 that I owned for awhile (which also had the later style trunnions).

 

[Shaunjc]

I have a new Standpart trunnion that uses what appears to me to be the same rubber "cap" as the original from my worn out '69 version.
The "sealness" of that cap doesn't impress me that much. Oil being oil seems capable of escaping. I've several other 6 owner in the area
and will consult with them as well.
Thank you for the input.

Shaun

 

[justin_mercier]

My original trunions were packed with tons of grease, but when I replaced them I put 90wt gear oil in them. The vertical channels through the threads inside the trunnions is specifically there for oil too.

 

[Shaunjc]

Hmmm, missed the vertical channel. Back to oil it is - thanks.