MGB: Gaitor Replacement

I recently noticed one of my gaitors was torn on my 1979 B, so I am in the process of replacing both of them. I have the parts and decided to place the jack stands under the wishbone pivot. My questions is how much SAE 90EP oil should go into the gaitors, do you have to fill both? I plan on using some type of syringe from the local cattle store. How important is it to use a ball joint extractor tool? I have my Haynes repair manual but the information is not in the book and surely does not replace experience. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Thanks
Richd56

Rich;
Capacity is .4 US pint. You can fill on the long side if you have it tipped up a little. The fluid will equal itself out with some turns of the steering gear. Do your self a big favor and get the Ball joint puller tool from the loaner program at Advance or Discount. You will also need to replace the boots.
Good luck. David

I mean the boots on the ball joints. David

5 or 6 OZ 90 wt i think , one dose.

i did not break that joint with a pickle fork , just unscrewed the whole assy from the tie rod , used a little angle file to scribe a mark and counted turns so i could get it back to the same place , more or less.
then one needs to set toe-in

i am sure more experienced and wiser ones will provide input
m

Thanks for the information. Now when we our talking about the ball joint our we talking about the Tie rod set and if so, should I just replace both of them. They our 19.99 a set, I assume there is two per set.

Thanks
Richd56

i do not think it necessary to replace the ball joints unless they are failing
i have a 79 w/ 110,000 miles and the ball joints seem ok , i wonder about lubricating them though


http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29018

Just to point something out; MGB's don't use ball-joints. They have kingpins instead and have 3 grease nipples each for maintenance. Properly maintained, they'll last a very long time. Much like most things in life.

The closest things to ball-joints are the tie-rod ends which can be separated with a "ball-joint" remover or a hammer if you're lucky.

If you are taking it apart, which you must to replace the gators, go ahead and put on new tie rod ends. They are not that much and you really do not know how old yours are...

Which leads me into a question about the quality of the tie rod ends that are available. It is a good time to replace them but if the replacement parts are crap-ola like quite a few pieces have been lately, why bother. I've never had to undertake the chore but would be interested to know if they can be obtained at a local outlet as opposed to the usual mail order catalog places.

Jim B.

I buy parts from the BHive and he seems to carry quality parts. Yes you can buy crap off eBay; but stick to reputable suppliers.

I there is no play in the ball and socket joint don't replace them. While still attached to the front end see if there is movement of the ball when the wheel is moved back and forth horizontally. Then try moving the ball vertically up and down with your hand. If it tight all is well. If grease in the joint if hardened remove it with a solvent and repack the joint with your fingers and move the joint around until these new grease completely fills the socket. Replace the boots and you are good to go. My 73' has 150,000 miles on it and my tie rods were in great shape.

BTW are the gaiters that are being sold by Moss and others bettter than they were last year? I noticed that Moss was out of stock for a while. Perhaps they found a new source or manufacturer.

It's worth the extra money to get the Rover gaitors. They cost $25 but are well worth the added cost. RAY

[quote=GERONIMO]
Which leads me into a question about the quality of the tie rod ends that are available. It is a good time to replace them but if the replacement parts are crap-ola like quite a few pieces have been lately, why bother. I've never had to undertake the chore but would be interested to know if they can be obtained at a local outlet as opposed to the usual mail order catalog places.

Jim B.[/quote]
Do like I did,place the used tierod ends in the new box,mark the box used-good tie rod ends and save them.If the new ones fail and the old ones were still good then You have them to fall back on for the just in case.They are not that tough to replace.:drinking: