Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Drilling the compensator barrel for a grease zerk

Has anyone drilled the compensator barrel for a grease nipple? I mean doing it yourself verses the dealer.

Well I started the job, measured to where I thought the compensator was and cut a hole in the bell housing. There have been plenty of pictures on TM and I'm a pretty good on spatial stuff, However when I got in to where I thought the compensator was and tried to drill a hole the metal was so hard I could get the drill started. So the job is on hold until I learn more. Good luck Areg.

I have gone a little further after using numerous drill bits of various kind. But the darn thing feels like a hardened lump. I should have gone through the hardened part already must be 1.5mm deep so far, but no luck.

Do not know how to post a picture here so you could see. Anyway I will update this thread if I get anywhere.

I must be more than 2mm deep and still not getting through. There is no way this can be drilled and tapped with HSS drill and Tap. Did they at some point change the barrel material?

Are you drilling with a twist bit in there?
I'd imagine something like this would likely require removal mounting it in a jig so it didn't move and using a carbide tipped steel die drill.

https://goo.gl/KllomK

I've not used one of these in a hand drill, so I don't know if you'd be able to maintain pressure and keep it dead on so as not to damage the bit.

Just imagine the joy if you manage to get that twist drill deeper in there and it totally snaps off in the hole.

Retrofitting a grease nipple without removal is a factory procedure. I live 350 miles away from my dealer and he has done a few of those but is adamant that he used HSS drill and tap.
The wall is 1/4" thick, I have gone over 2m deep after long time trying and using different drill bits. I should have gone past the hardened segment but nope.
So far HSS, carbide, cobalt, glass drill, and even a milling cutter.
I assume there will be no harm in trying the die drill you are suggesting.
I have even made a contraption, call it an upside down drill press.

Hmmm Areg. Thanks for your efforts. I've not yet tried a carbide bit. I await your results. Right now I don't even want to look at my little Honey--all I can think is cracked frame cracked frame. I'll get over it, maybe a week.

Will watch with interest and pictures would be great as I have to do similar. Everything quiet at present but I guess it's only a matter of time

hbatts, I have a 2012 so "cracked frame" is another worry. Had to go through the same on my Honda Goldwing.
There had been reports of a couple of cracked frames. Eventually mine went in for a recall on the same issue and passed with flying colors. The dealer told me he had yet to see one with a problem. So am hoping the same will be with the 3W, but I ain't trashing it around that is for sure.

I am sick and tired of this, I even tried drilling in a different location after giving myself some time off and same story couple of millimeters and that is it.
Then I started asking myself what would fitting a grease nipple achieve, make the idle quieter? Or increase the longevity of the compensator.
Anyone has an idea of how long the old style compensator might last. Seems the new Centra is also not free from problems.