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UJ Concern
IainL - 18/3/12 at 04:48 PM

Just been looking over the car as I've been driving it a bit lately and noticed a small diameter spring coming out of the UJ seem to be coming out of the center piece

I've attached a couple of photos, could someone confirm what this spring is for and does this mean I need to get the UJ looked at?

Cheers,
IainL

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tilly819 - 18/3/12 at 04:52 PM

not completely sure but i think that's were the grease nipple goes

tilly

snapper - 18/3/12 at 04:58 PM

That does look like the spring loaded ball that seals the grease nipple, could be that the grease nipple has parted company with the central X piece.

Peteff - 18/3/12 at 05:00 PM

It is where the nipple goes, can't see the purpose of the spring though. Pull it out and bin it and fit a new nipple but make sure it's the right size as they can foul the joint if they stick out too far. The springs in grease nipples are tiny, less than biro springs unless that one goes right through to the other side.

[Edited on 18/3/12 by Peteff]

IainL - 18/3/12 at 05:01 PM

Thanks for the quick replies.

Can I just get a new grease nipple and try to fit it, if so what thread are they?

IainL

Peteff - 18/3/12 at 05:05 PM

Is there one in the joint at the other end you can take to compare ?

Andy D - 18/3/12 at 05:11 PM

I reckon the grease nipple has broken off, the spring should be inside it against the ball bearing.

IainL - 18/3/12 at 05:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Is there one in the joint at the other end you can take to compare ?


I think there is I'll have to take the tunnel covers off tomorrow and have a look, just been reading that some grease nipples are spring loaded with a small steel ball to stop grease being thrown out.

Cheers,
IainL

britishtrident - 18/3/12 at 07:36 PM

Looks like the joint has been articulated to the extent the nipple has fouled the yoke, take the nipple out and plug the the hole with a grub screw, grease nipples aren't really required on car Hardy Spicer needle roller . UJs

nick205 - 19/3/12 at 09:58 PM

Definitely looks as though the nipple has sheared off - awkward to remove the remainder too in-situ. A fine stud extractor might do it, then replace with a grub screw as suggested to prevent it happening again.

Mr Whippy - 19/3/12 at 10:36 PM

you can buy the center with new bearings for less than a tenner, dead easy to replace as it's just circlips that hold them togeather, I'd just replace that than try to get the remains of the nipple out. You should keep it regreased as it makes a big difference to the life of the joint