TR2/3/3A Tr3 steering box olive

[sp53]

Tr3 steering box olive. I remember hearing once why the olive has a split in it, but I cannot remember why. In addition to that little bit, you know how the steering box has what looks like two filling points, one on the box(the big nut) and two up on the column. How important is it to have the fluid right up to the upper filler and/or is the large nut just for draining.
Steve

 

[Twosheds]

The olive has a split so that it will squish against the stator tube and hold it tightly when you tighten the olive nut.

It's easier to fill the steering unit from the upper hole, I think. Easier to get to it.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Steve,

To elaborate on the Chief Boffin's comment, the split in the olive is so it can be removed at sometime in the future. Without the split, the olive would compress on to the stator tube and not slide off when you need to remove the stator tube and control head.

I agree that it is easier to add oil to the steering box through the hole in the outer steering column. I don't think it is necessary to fill to the hole, but you need enough to submerge the ball bearings at either end of the worm. This will insure all other moving bits are lubed. In this case too much oil shouldn't be a problem, so filling to the hole everything is oiled.

 

[Twosheds]

Oh, and the large nut won't drain all the fluid from the steering unit.

This unit might be used in other cars in which it is easier to fill from the large nut.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Steve,

Probably the best way to drain the box is remove the front plate of the steering box, however it will probably be messy.

 

[TR3driver]

In this case too much oil shouldn't be a problem, so filling to the hole everything is oiled.

In addition, it gives you extra margin before the oil level drops below the bearings.

 

[sp53]

Thanks all for your comments. I was putting things back together and remembered that the original olive had that split, but could not remember why, so I grabbed one without the split and put that on, but now thanks to Dave aloha, I remember a time when I could not get an olive off because it did not have the split. Just in case does anybody have a plan for getting an olive off without the split?
Steve

 

[TR3driver]

Just in case does anybody have a plan for getting an olive off without the split?

I used a Dremel and a cutoff wheel. Carefully cut a slot into the olive, in line with the tube but not touching it. Then stick a screwdriver in the slot you've just cut and twist it to break the bottom of the slot. Obviously you're going to need a new olive afterwards.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Steve,

I would take a dremel and carefully and slowly cut a split in it.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Twosheds]

Aloha Steve,

Probably the best way to drain the box is remove the front plate of the steering box, however it will probably be messy.

I use a leaky rocker arm shaft to drain the unit.

Takes a while, but it's effective.