Greasing Lower Control arm and engine oil

[graham_fuller]

I am unable to get grease into the lower control arm,I have taken the grease nipple out and the shaft is right behind it.The nipple is not blocked.How does this work?Do i need to take it out and if i do will I have trouble with the spring pushing it out of line?Also what is the best oil to use in a worn Grey motor?
Thanks,
Graham

[FCwagon]

Hi Graham,
It sounds like the bottom arm has been assemble off-centre. Check the gaps either side of the arm to crossmember & they should be equal.
Best choice is to refit the arm in the central position but then you'll need to re-adjust the wheel alignment. If the wheel alignment is correct with the arm where it is, (assuming the joint is in good nick) you can leave it and just use a really good high pressure grease gun. Normally there is a gap of about 4-6mm behind the nipple. If the nipple is not fouling on the end of the pivot you might have to try pumping it in with the vehicle weight on the wheel in the up or down position or in between. (Use a safety stand under the bottom wishbone) I've found sometimes you need to keep the pressure on the grease gun for quite a while to get old grease moving through the joint.
When aligning the arms there are special "U" shaped spacers to centralise the arm on the pivot (which you can make) but I've found you can get it central pretty easy without having to use them. I also find it hard to get the spacers out afterwards anyway. It does have to be done with the spring tension released so will take a while to do.
cheers,
Leigh

[RET]

If you believe the sales pitch, maybe one of these will help you!  

cheers
RET

[fastjbav6]

Shell 25w-60 is ok for worn motors, if it's real bad try using Penrite HPR 50, (40w-70).
Regards Seb

[Sarge]

Graham
          What Leigh said about greasing the front end and shell helix (red bottle) for older engine is not a bad oil for the motor. if you need heavyer than this then it might be time to think about a rebuild. Just putting thicker oil in to a worn motor is not doing it any favours.

Regards
Mark

[graham_fuller]

thanks, for the advice I spaced out the grease nipple and although still not easy the grease appears to be getting in.
Cheers,
Graham