30 replies to this topic

[peter-b]

Regarding rack lube, we started putting STP oil additive in the about 35 years ago and have done so ever since. About 250mls is sufficient of it.

[gazza82]

Just called the garage where I'll be getting the MOT done and they said as long as it is not leaking, is fuel grade line and secured at the standard minimum intervals I can use what I like.

 

OK if they are happy!

[Icey]

Another off-topic - are those nylon rear (front)subframe mounts? You're aware of their general reputation for being a bit.....crap? Actually they can be very crap indeed. Have a bit of a search on here before you put the car back together, there's a few stories....

[Pidge]

No worries, I'll do some searching. I have fit them to all my builds with no issues but happy to know they are rubbish and change them. I thought they were the best you could get bush wise.

[Pidge]

I'm a little lost as to how I get the 250ml of oil into the rack?

I have read my Haynes and it says to slide a gaiter down the track rod and put the oil in there? I had a look and it looks well sealed? Won't it just fall out?

[spiguy]

on Page 1 of this thread there was a suggestion made by nicklouse, and backed by me (as I have done it this way too) regarding putting it in via the centering hole - bung out of the floor, then unscrew the plastic blanking screw to reveal the hole in the rack tubing. It's easier if the car is raised on the passenger side, and also easy to do using a large syringe. Just need to take your time feeding it in as it seeps into the rack. Doesn't take as long as  you might think. I did it this way as I didn't fancy undoing the gaiter then trying to get it well sealed again.

[Spider]

Another couple of ways.

 

If the Rack is not yet fitted, take the Driver's side Boot off, stand the Rack up and pour it in through there, but go easy as the oil is thick and will take a while to drain down.

 

If the Rack's fitted, you can use an Oil Can and get it in through the small end of the boot.

 

Don't overfill it either, it will pop a boot when corning one time and make an awful mess!

[Pidge]

Yeah it's back in the car now moke, I only realised when moving the steering.

@ SPIGUY - I don't suppose you have a picture of the cantering hole do you? I have had a look through google images and I can't see where about it is?

[alex-95]

I bought a new rack and looks to have grease in it, so whats best for a new one with grease in it? remove the grease and put oil in? I was planning on putting oil in my old one but a bearing had seized so got a new one.

[Spider]

 I don't suppose you have a picture of the cantering hole do you? I have had a look through google images and I can't see where about it is?

 

 

 

Only it will more likely be a plastic in-hex looking screw, like the one in the upper picture here.

 

If you are going to fill from that point, go very slow.

 

 

 

 

I bought a new rack and looks to have grease in it, so whats best for a new one with grease in it? remove the grease and put oil in? I was planning on putting oil in my old one but a bearing had seized so got a new one.

 

I'm almost inclined to say leave the grease in it and also fill with Oil.

 

Grease on it's own isn't much good in the Racks. The moving parts as slow speed and low temp, so the Grease just wipes away from were it's needed.

Edited by Moke Spider, 20 July 2015 - 09:45 PM.

[Pidge]

Cheers moke!!

I'll get that done tomorrow then!

When you say 250ml and not to overfill it how do I know what if any there is in there? Or do I just fill it with the 250ml and stop when it stops going in?

[alex-95]

 

 

 

I bought a new rack and looks to have grease in it, so whats best for a new one with grease in it? remove the grease and put oil in? I was planning on putting oil in my old one but a bearing had seized so got a new one.

 

I'm almost inclined to say leave the grease in it and also fill with Oil.

 

Grease on it's own isn't much good in the Racks. The moving parts as slow speed and low temp, so the Grease just wipes away from were it's needed.

 

That's what I thought, it just gets pushed to the sides and doesn't do anything, I've got some castrol 140 EP gear oil that I would put in which is rather thick . 

Putting the 2 together wouldn't hurt would it? Do you think put the normal amount of oil in?

[Spider]

Cheers moke!!

I'll get that done tomorrow then!

When you say 250ml and not to overfill it how do I know what if any there is in there? Or do I just fill it with the 250ml and stop when it stops going in?

 

Perhaps drain any that might be in there. Pop a boot off (driver's side would be best) and leave an Ice Cream container under it for a couple of days, most of anything that's in there will drain. Then fill fresh. It won't hurt anything in the Rack if you do over fill it, it's just that it will probably make a mess.

 

 

 

[Spider]

 

That's what I thought, it just gets pushed to the sides and doesn't do anything, I've got some castrol 140 EP gear oil that I would put in which is rather thick . 

Putting the 2 together wouldn't hurt would it? Do you think put the normal amount of oil in?

 

 

140 weight might be just a bit heavy, then again, it might also work as a bit of a damper too.

 

I really don't see too much of a problem with putting Oil in it, even if it already has grease, as long as it's not filled with Grease!

[A-Cell]

I bought a new rack and looks to have grease in it, so whats best for a new one with grease in it? remove the grease and put oil in? I was planning on putting oil in my old one but a bearing had seized so got a new one.

Leave the grease in the new rack. No need to add oil.
Grease used in steering racks is EP0 lithium soap "liquid grease". This is particularly suited to slow moving gears. It also is less likely to leak than gear oil being a lot more viscous.