[DeTomaso] Steering Rack Lube & GT5 wheel spacers

[John Taphorn]

I recently rebuilt a GT5 steering rack.  I drilled the spring cover plate 
dead center and installed a zerk. I was then able to fill with grease. I 
think the rack is happy.

JT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <MikeLDrew at aol.com>
To: <julian_kift at hotmail.com>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 8:38 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Steering Rack Lube & GT5 wheel spacers


>
> In a message dated 8/10/09 23 19 29, julian_kift at hotmail.com writes:
>
>
>>
>> I'm doing some suspension work and caster modifications prior to the trip
>> to Monterey as I'd dearly like to drive without white knuckles from 
>> holding
>> the steering so tight due to the current tendency to track every line in
>> the road.
>>
>> >>>Given that you're driving a GT5, that's a tall order.   Big-time 
>> >>>caster
>> modifications help somewhat.
>>
>> >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?
>>
>>>>The Ford shop manual specifies that you should only use 90-wt gear oil,
> and not use grease.   TRW engineers specify that you should only use 
> grease,
> and that the use of gear oil is an antiquated procedure.
>
> Unfortunately there's no way to grease the rack without dismantling it.
> Well, I take that back.   You could remove the cover over the spring, then
> remove the spring and the shoe that presses the rack into the pinion, and 
> dump
> a bunch of grease in there, I suppose.
>>
>>
>>
>> >I have heard mention of wheel spacers used on GT4 and GT5 cars, in fact
>> Wilkinson shows such a part in his catalog but no details. Anyone happen 
>> to
>> know what thickness spacer was used? Prior to full lock my tires rub on 
>> the
>> footwell area and I'm guessing that will likely only get worse now I have
>> added caster.
>>
>> >>>I see in the De Tomaso parts book that there's a spacer listed for the
> front wheels of the GT5/GT5-S.   Although it's also depicted in the rear,
> there is no text indicating that it's in use there also--an oversight?
>
> I'd be perfectly happy with tires that touched the inside of the
> fenderwells at full lock.   I'd just try to turn the wheel a little less 
> when
> maneuvering, and if it touched, oh well?
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
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