A7 LUBRICATION - THE COMPLETE GUIDE

For the Austin Seven the following Lubricants are approved by Austin Motors:—
    Engine ..                        CASTROL XL.
    Gear Box ..                    CASTROL XL.
    Rear Axle..                    CASTROL "D" Gear Oil.
    Wheel Hubs                Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium.
    Universal Joint ..         CASTROL UNIJOYNT.
    Chassis Grease            CASTROLEASE Medium.
    Gun Nipples                CASTROLEASE Medium.
    Electrical Equipment  Wakefield OILIT.
Above are outlined the units which require periodical attention. These are dealt with separately in the following paragraphs, which deal with every detail of the Austin Seven Lubrication requirements.

Engine

Before starting the engine each day, check the oil level in the sump by means of the dip-rod provided, and add CASTROL XL until oil reaches the "full" mark on the rod (Fig. I). When your Austin Seven is new the crankcase should be drained after the first 500 miles running and replenished with fresh oil.

How to Drain the Crankcase.
Whilst the oil is still warm after a run remove the drain plug situated beneath the crankcase (Fig. 1) and allow the oil to drain off completely, then replace the plug and refill with fresh oil of correct grade as above.

Changing the Oil.
Because even the best oil tends to become con­taminated and diluted with fuel after it has been in use some time, it is necessary to drain the crankcase every 1,000 miles after the first 500, and replenish with fresh oil.

Cleaning The Oil Reservoir.
It is advisable every 3,000 miles to remove the lower half of the crankcase (or oil reservoir). The gauze oil tray will then be accessible. This should be removed and together with the oil reservoir scrupulously cleaned with paraffin or petrol. When replacing, carefully remake the oil-tight joint with the packing washer which should be covered with grease on both sides.

Oil Flow Indicator.
This is situated on the Instrument Board, and when the engine is running the button should always protrude under pressure of oil. If the button fails to protrude the engine -should be immediately stopped and the cause ascertained.

Oil Jets.
Lubrication of the big ends is effected by oil forced from jets incorporated in the crankcase webs above the crankshaft. Every 1,000 miles use this method to ensure that the jets are clean: Remove the plugs situated over these jets and protruding above the cylinder head water jacket, and insert a stiff piece of wire not exceeding 1/16 in. diameter through the jets. Two of these plugs appear in Fig. 1, which illustrates their accessibility for this operation.

The Clutch.

Every 250 miles apply three or four drops of CASTROL XL to the clutch thrust race. To reach this swing back the oval clutch cover plate after loosening retaining screws (See Fig. I).
It is well to remember that the clutch surfaces being of fabric material must be kept free from oil and grease, or clutch slip will soon be in evidence. For this reason, care should be exercised when applying oil to the thrust race.

Gear Box.

When your Austin Seven is new the gear box should be completely drained after the first 500 miles running. To do this remove the gear box drain plug (the position of which is shown in Fig. t) whilst oil is still warm after a run. This drain plug also holds the clutch pit drain hole cover in position as illustrated in Fig. 2, and when refitting the drain plug this must be replaced.
After draining, about two-thirds of a pint of CASTROL XL is the maximum quantity required for complete replenishment of the gear box. The amount of oil in the gear box can be checked by inserting the engine dip-stick in the gear box filling orifice (Fig. 1). The depth of oil should never be less than one inch or more than two and a half inches. It is advisable to check this every 1,000 miles and maintain at the maximum level by replenishing with CASTROL XL.

Changing the Oil.
Every 5,000 miles after the first 500 repeat the draining process previously described and refill with CASTROL XL.

Rear Axle.

The rear axle should be replenished every 1,000 miles with CASTROL "D" Gear Oil. To do this, first remove the plug situated at the rear of the axle centre casing (Fig. 3). Then screw the end of the grease gun adaptor into the hole, attach the barrel of the grease gun and force in lubricant. Do not inject too much at any one time, as oil is liable to reach the brake shoes and im­pair their efficiency.

Steering Gear.

In order to enjoy ease of steering and eliminate the possibility of "play" developing between the steer­ing wheel and road wheels through wear, regular lubrication at all points of the steering gear is essential. The parts mentioned below can be located by reference to Fig. 4

Steering Gear Box.
Every 1,000 miles give a charge of Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium with the grease gun at the nipple situated on top of the box. This will lubricate the worm and worm wheel bearings.

Steering Column.
Give bearing at top of the steering column a little oil from the oilcan every 250 miles.

Steering Side Tube.
Every 250 miles the steering connections on this should be lubricated with CASTROL XL using an oilcan which injects the lubricant under pressure into the sockets.

Steering Swivel Pins and Cross Tube.
Every 250 miles apply Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium with the grease gun at the nipples provided (there are four of these in all).

Universal Joint.

Every 250 miles fill the joint housing with CASTROL UNIJOYNT Grease. To reach this point move aside the small cover in the car floor board. Now move the car until the filling plug on joint housing is facing upwards. Remove the plug and apply lubricant with the grease gun (see Fig. 5). CASTROL UNI JOYNT should always be used here. It is a non-separating grease specially prepared for high-speed metal joints. Do not neglect this point or rely on an inferior grease or unnecessary play will very soon be in evidence.
Just to the rear of the Universal joint is another filling plug (or on the earlier model a grease nipple) for lubricating the forward end of the torque tube. Apply Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium here, using the special adaptor if a filling plug is fitted.

Wheel Bearings.

From Hubs.
Every 1,000 miles remove road wheel and turn the hub until the filling plug is at the top. Now remove the plug and screw in the special adaptor provided in the tool kit. Apply six strokes of the grease gun filled with Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium (see Fig. 6). Do not forget to replace the filling plug after detaching the grease gun.

Rear Hubs.
Lubrication of the Rear Hubs should be carried out in the same manner as for front hubs. In some instances, however, a grease nipple is fitted in place of the filling plug shown in Fig. 7 below. When this is the case the screw-in adaptor will not, of course, be necessary.

Brake Gear.

Cam Spindles.
Each rear brake cam spindle is provided with an oil-less bush which does not require lubrication. No attention is therefore necessary at these points.  Front brake cam spindles are lubricated from the swivel pin and require no separate attention.

Brake Joints.
Every 250 miles apply the oilcan to keep the brake gear efficient and easy in operation.

Suspension Springs.

Spring Anchorages and Spring Shackle Pins.
These are all provided with easily accessible grease gun nipples to which CASTROLEASE Medium should be injected with the grease gun every 250 miles. There are six nipples in all. The one fitted to the offside rear spring anchorage is illustrated in Fig. 7.

Spring Leaves.
Every 10,000 miles it is necessary to lubricate these. In order to do this the weight of the car must be taken off the springs and the spring leaves prised apart with a screwdriver or similar instrument. To take the weight off the front spring place the jack under the short cross-member just forward of the engine. The jack should be standing on a wood block for this purpose. The rear springs may be attended to one side at a time by jacking the car beneath either end of rear crossmember. Having prised the spring leaves apart, apply Wakefield CASTROLEASE "G" with a stiff brush between them. This operation is illustrated in Fig. 8.

Radius Rod Anchorage.
The radius rods are anchored by means of a ball flange and cups attached to the front crossmember just below rear end of the gear box. Every 1,000 miles a few drops of engine oil should be applied at this point. This is illustrated in Fig. 2.
Fan Bearing.
A nipple is fitted to this unit to which CASTROL­EASE Medium should be applied every 250 miles with the grease gun. This nipple is shown in the top right-hand corner of Fig. 1.

Electrical Equipment.

Dynamo.
The dynamo bearings are packed with grease before leaving the works and require very little attention. Every 1,000 miles, however, add three drops of Wakefield OILIT through the lubricator near the mounting flange (Fig. 1). It is well to note that far more trouble is caused by excessive oiling than by too little.

Distributor.
Every 5oo miles give the grease cup two turns. This will lubricate the Distributor main bearing. This grease cup should be filled with Wakefield CASTROLEASE Medium. At the same mileage interval apply two drops of Wakefield OILIT to the cam lubrication wick through the hole provided (see Fig. 9). Take care not to over lubricate these parts.

Windshield Wiper.
Every 1,000 miles apply a drop of Wakefield OILIT to screen wiper mechanism. Except on the Trico model, a small screw can be removed from the top of the casing to permit the oil to be injected.

Starting Motor.
This Unit requires very little attention as the bearings are packed with grease before leaving the works. Occasionally remove the clip-secured commutator cover and inspect the commutator. This should be kept free from oil, brush dust, etc., by the application of a soft cloth to its surface whilst the spindle is slowly turned. 

Also Requiring Attention.

Every 1,000 miles make a point of going round your Austin Seven and applying a few drops of Wakefield OILIT to the carburettor and ignition control rod joints, door hinges, bonnet fasteners, etc. It is a good plan, too, after nuts or screws have been removed for any purpose, to apply a drop of oil before replacing these.