The grease reservoir screws into the steering rack, Part # C4366-0501P (# 25 in the parts diagram). They were used up until July 1973. The originals get brittle and brake off at the thread, none have been available for years.

We modelled up a CAD drawing from an original (brown stained part in the photo) and beefed up the section where the thread connects to the body. They are reproduced in oil/grease/UV resistant plastic and have the original correct JIS pipe thread to screw into the hole in the rack. Have done 50 of them so if anyone needs some let me know by PM.

Prices is $40 each plus postage.

Hello SpeedRoo,

I would be interested in one of your grease reservoirs.

Just one question; are these reservoirs solid or are they

fabricated to actually hold grease?

Also, one of your earlier projects involved

replicating the early Yazaki plug wire sets.

Is that still a possibility?

thanks Roo.

The reservoirs are hollow inside like the original, designed to hold grease just like the original. All the bits I have done are fully functional. The metal 3D printed gearknob came out really well, will post a picture next week.

I replicated the Yazaki wire sets, did up 4 sets for myself. Hardest bit is the screen printing on the wire. With the amount of time they took there is no way I could sell them without making a loss so just did them for my cars.

SpeedRoo, I’d like to purchase one of your grease reservoirs.

Let me know how you’d like payment and I can PM you my

Mailing address.

Dan

G'day Dan,

have sent you a PM.

Roo

Can the reservoir be changed without effecting the amount of lubrication in the steering rack?

Thanks,

Keith

11 hours ago, zed2 said:

Can the reservoir be changed without effecting the amount of lubrication in the steering rack?

Thanks,

Keith

I don't see why not, they just unscrew. The original could be refilled when the grease got low, these do the same.

Awesome idea, thanks for doing the design and putting this together for the community! Something I really like about the internet is the way people can manufacture this kind of product. Well done.

17 minutes ago, Mike said:

Awesome idea, thanks for doing the design and putting this together for the community! Something I really like about the internet is the way people can manufacture this kind of product. Well done.

Appreciate the nice words,

Roo

Has anyone ever studied an original to see if it has a tiny vent hole? I shall certainly go look at the one I have squirreled away.

I have trouble with the concept of a “grease reservoir”. Grease does not circulate around inside the rack, or wheel bearings for that matter. Its high viscosity and immense stickiness makes its job to stay put as a film on metal surfaces. I do not understand how having any grease in this thing is of any help to maintaining grease levels in the rack. Some might get pushed in there initially, but it’s never ever coming back out. Same with putting grease in the wheel bearing dust cap. Other than providing a barrier for dust incursion, it can serve as a reservoir for grease in the bearings. There is no way for it to get there.

Engineering wise, I see some wisdom in providing a vent, and thus maybe a small volume to keep a small vented quantity from getting out to make a mess, but it would have to have a hole to function as a vent. No grease would go in if there was not a way to displace air in the reservoir. And they did abandon these reservoirs on later racks, so they do in fact serve no useful purpose.

Sorry to go off track on the thread. The work of the reproduction is excellent, you should be commended. I love seeing a reservoir on the rack when it’s supposed to be there.

@zKars I had a closer look at my original and can't find a vent hole but I understand what you are saying.

Nissan called this item an 'Oil Reservoir', rather than a "Grease Reservoir".

'Oil' has a little more natural disposition toward moving downhill when subjected to gravity than 'Grease' does.

A clue in the name they chose, perhaps?

Somebody whose opinion I usually take notice of suggested that the originals - when new - were compliant enough to be 'squeezable'.