Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

Noticed that the head has dropped off a grease nipple for the near-side rear spring shackle on the Lagonda. As you can see in the picture there's a small spring sticking out from the centre of what remains of the grease nipple but that's it.

There doesn't appear to be any of the nipple remaining that I can get a spanner on to remove it. So I'm interested in your thoughts. Also I assume it's not the nipple that keeps the shackle secured to the chassis? Question

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 9:39 pm Post subject:

Stud extractor ? or grind a very slight taper at the end of a torx head bit and drive it in. Attach an extension bar to the torx bit and suspend in place with some bare wire. Heat up the bar, so the heat passes into the grease nipple.

Allow to cool then tap in and turn at same time.

I managed to get one out of king pin. Saved a lot of dismantling. I heated and let it cool several times. Started by giving it a little tweak to the right and it moved , so back and forth until it eased out.

I couldn't get a stud extractor small and strong enough, didn't fancy drilling into the nipple because drill swarf may have been pushed in.

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

Yeah, I was thinking along similar lines. Wondering if I could get a very small stud extractor in the hole where the spring is sticking out?

p.s. Presumably there's no harm in driving the car like this? Just means I can't grease the top shackle, yes? Question

Peter_L · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:28 pm Post subject:

As previous, the problem I had was the risk of shearing off a stud extractor. because they are so small, plus it isn't possible to ease the broken part right and left. Is the nipple assembly brass ? if so it may not be rusted in.

Rich5ltr · Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 678 Location: Hampshire, UK

Yes, the nipple is brass. To be honest I only noticed it as I put the car away after cleaning it ready to take to Goodwood tomorrow so I've not looked at it closely. I'll flush out all the grease with some WD40 when I get home tomorrow so the dog can see the rabbit.

Whitegoatie · Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 9:41 pm Post subject:

It looks like it has been greased on a regular basis, I doubt you will have much trouble removing it. I bet a pair of mole grips would get moving.