[DeTomaso] Steering Rack

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/15/08 7 12 32, pvperry at earthlink.net writes:


> So if one is lubricating their original steering rack can they do it with
> grease?
> 
> >>>Yes.
> 
> What kind of grease would be recommended?
> 
>>>The Ferrari 308 and 512BB uses a derivative of the same rack as ours.   
Rick Moseley did a bunch of research and finally wound up talking with a tech 
engineer at TRW.   TRW bought out Cam Gears UK, which had an Italian subsidiary 
that built our racks.   This guy was knowledgeable about the various Ferrari 
racks, and said that although back in the day they were lubricated with heavy 
gear oil (same as you would put in a differential), they learned a lot since 
then, and now they are all lubricated with 0-weight moly grease.

He looked high and low for this stuff, and couldn't find any except in 
massive quantities (55 gallon barrel!).   However, CRC engine assembly lube (comes 
in a black tube, available at any auto parts store) is rated at 0-1/2 weight, 
and the TRW guy said that was fine.   I used to use oil all the time, but for 
the past few years I've been using this grease and it's been working fine.   I 
can't say that it works better or worse because there's no way for a person at 
our level to test it scientifically.
> 
> 
> 
> What is the technique for lubricating with grease while the rack is in the
> car?
> 
>>>Step one:   remove rack from car.

Step two;   fully dismantle it.

Leaving the rack in the car is an excellent argument for using oil instead of 
grease.   Make sure your steering rack boots are in excellent condition, not 
leaking, and make double-sure the clamps are tight.   Then you can jack up one 
side of the car has high as you can get it, and dribble axle grease into the 
rack.   Supposedly the specification was for 5 1/3 ounces.   However, I don't 
think you would hurt anything by putting a bit more in, especially in light of 
the fact that if your suspension is at stock height, the tie rods will droop 
from the rack down to the spindles on each side, and as a result, most of the 
oil will simply pool in the rubber boots.

Mike



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