[DeTomaso] Steering Rack Lube & GT5 wheel spacers

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/10/09 11:19:27 PM, julian_kift at hotmail.com writes:


> Whilst working on the suspension I note my steering rack seems dry. How 
> is everyone getting grease into the rack, is just a case of removing the 
> boots and forcing as much grease in as I can? Is there a preference for type 
> of grease?
> 
According to the manual, adding too much lube can build up enough pressure 
to blow the rubber bellows off the rack housing. As I said in a recent post 
on the subject, its far easier to take the rack out, drain whatever's there 
and add the specified amount.   I built a sight-gauge on our rack and found 
the proper level (1/3 pint +- 10%) barely keeps the bottom of the rack teeth 
wet. Then, when you turn the wheels, the rubber bellows on each end act 
like a crude pump and forces a wave of fresh lube towards the other end. 
Obviously, the bellows must both clamp tight to the steering rod extensions for 
this to work; if the rod slides thru the bellows 'cause a clamp is loose, the 
pumping doesn't happen and you'll probably have a small leak besides. The 
Pantera Service Highlights manual describes all this, specifies the lube 
(90-wt gear lube) and shows exploded views of the parts during an illustrated 
factory rebuild of a Pantera rack. Your '80 GT-5 uses a slightly different rack 
than your '74 but only in small details. Good luck- J Deryke