Talk Morgan Forums Community Welcome Forum morgan steering box lubrication how

i have a 1994 morgan 4-4 the steering is getting heavier as i get older ,is it possible to lubricate the box if so how and with what ,i cant see a oil filler plug i would hope that if this was done it would make the steering easier .we have no morgan agents or outlet here in the channel islands,so i would be glad of any advice.

A plug on the steering column?

A 1994 car will be rack and pinion equipped , there is no plug on the steering column. the lubrication is via the rack itself.

However unless you have a split gaiter , and therefore a leak, loss of lubricant from the rack is rather rare . Personally i would look for other reasons for stiff starring before scrutinising the r & p.

Look at lubrication of the stub axles, especially the bronze damper blades. They need to be prized upwards as you lube the central nipple to ensure that there is a layer of grease covering them between the axle and the pad.

Also check tyre pressures , have they lost air and therefore become harder to turn? Also check that the universal joints on the steering column are nicely greased.

Others will have further ideas I am sure and one of them should solve the issue for you.

Steering bearings will lighten the steering but need a suspension stripdown to fit.

I Agree with Andy G entirely.
The rack and pinion is unlikey to be the cause.
I have had a gaiter split and replaced it, cleaned, lubricated and adjusted the rack by screwing in the adjuster two flats. Doing that reduced steering wheel play to zero but no difference could be felt in drag to the steering.
When greasing the sliding pillars its best done by jacking up front end and pumping grease till it exits in sufficient quantity to expel the old stuff.

Don't think so Andy. Pretty sure R&P came in around '97 on the 4/4.
Tyre pressures, column UJs and all the usual greasing points. Steering boxes can be rebuilt if there is a problem (try Terry Foxon at GEE Ltd near Stroud).
It may be worth fitting later steering bearings which will lighten the steering a bit, but keep the damper blades.
Arwyn (and a couple of others) on here may be able to help you with lubricating steering box.

Agreed Graham my 97 short door & my 94 4/4 both had steering boxes not R&P.

I stand corrected Graham , the +8 certainly had R & P from the late 80s. So in that case this is likely to be Gemmer boxed car. Although I have never owned one I am told these boxes are pretty good and require much less effort than the earlier Cam Gears.

I think it is possibly important to establish some datum points:

Have you noticed a deterioration in the effort required , or is it stiff when compared to other cars?

If the latter then as DaveW mentioned go for a steering bearing conversion which will make it a lot easier.

If the former is the deterioration rapid , or a slow decline? If the former then look for something incorrectly fitted. If the latter then a thorough lubrication of the stub axles and the steering damper pad is likely to be the key.

to try and lighten my steering on my 1994 4/4 i have greased the bronze by jacking them up on a block of wood ,then greasing until grease comes out of the sides i have also lubricated the universal joints on the steering column .after spending some time crawling about under the car i, i am sure it has a steering box .as i have mentioned before i am not a mechanic and having no morgan dealers in guernsey to ask ,i try to service what i can .having crawled about under the car i have examined the box ,it has 4 bolts on the top all the same size , and one larger about central of the 4 with a threaded section through it which i believe i dont touch there is also nut on its own about 17mm is this the filler ,if so how much do i fill . Regards Sarnia. THANKYOU.