[DeTomaso] Steering rack lube

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/24/09 5 04 7, ksimback at cfl.rr.com writes:


> I had a leak in one of the tie rod boots on my steering rack that 
> resulted
> in the loss of a significant amount (appears to be about an ounce or more)
> of the lubricant.  I have replaced the boot.  Is there a way to replenish
> the gear oil without removing the steering rack from the car?
> 

Yes--you can jack the car up on one side, which willl cause the remaining 
oil to run down into the other boot.   You can then remove the high boot and 
dribble replacement oil in.

The rack is supposed to have 5.3 ounces inside.   However, realize that oil 
is an especially poor choice for this application, since when the car is at 
rest, normally the tie rods are drooping somewhat, so the oil pools in the 
rubber boots and leaves the rack more or less unlubricated.   That's why the 
manufacturers switched from oil to very light (zero-weight) grease in later 
years.   (The new factory racks come from the manufacturer packed with 
grease, not oil).

That change would require removing and dismantling the rack, so if you're 
not up for that, then 80/90 gear oil is the way to go.   Make sure both of 
your boots are in good shape, and the hose clamps are as tight as possible.   
Note that the smaller hose clamp (on the tie rod itself) can often bottom 
out before the boot is really tight on the tie rod, which is what probably 
caused yours to leak out.   New hose clamps (if not new boots) may be a 
solution there.

Also, although the spec is for 5.3 oz, I don't think it would hurt to 
overfill the rack slightly.

Good luck. :>)

Mike


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