Steering Rack Lube Recommendation? | FerrariChat

Steering Rack Lube Recommendation?

Discussion in '206/246' started by swift53, May 9, 2012.

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  1. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    Nov 17, 2007
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    Alberto
    I am ready to reassemble the steering rack with a new bronze bushing instead of the
    Mickey Mouse plastic one. What kind of lube should be used in the rack?
    Thank you.

    Regards, Alberto
     
  2. pshoejberg

    pshoejberg Formula 3
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    I normally use Multifak 00 lithium soap grease or similar type.

    Best regards

    Peter
     
  3. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    Here, we have all the SKF grease products, and Redline bearing grease. Any similarities?
    Thank you.

    Regards, Alberto
     
  4. pshoejberg

    pshoejberg Formula 3
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    I believe Multifak EP-00 grease are mostly used in the industry for use in centralized lubrication systems (Quite low viscosity). The grease is produced by a number of different companies like Chevron and Texaco amongst others. We need the experts to chime in here on a similar SKF product, but according to a cross reference database I found on the internet both SKF LGEP2 and SKF LGMT2 should be Lithium based grease with more or less same functionalities. I could not source the grease in small size packing when I did my steering rack, but managed to get a quart of Chevron Multifak EP-00 from the local truck repair shop (They had a full barrel of it).

    Peter
     
  5. swift53

    swift53 F1 Veteran
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    Thank you Peter, that is of great help. I will ask the truck parts specialists here.

    Regards, Alberto
     
  6. Fredmec00

    Fredmec00 Rookie

    Apr 11, 2016
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    Frederico Oliveira
    Could some confirm I can change the steering rack grease with it in-situ?

    I just bought the car and found the gaitor/rubber boot missing on the drivers side (it is a LHD F355). There was some dirt in the steering mechanism.

    I want to avoid a future rebuild due to debris in the system and replacing grease could clear potential dirt inside the rack.

    Any ideas how to do this trick?
    Thanks for your input.
    Fred
     
  7. abstamaria

    abstamaria F1 Rookie

    Feb 11, 2006
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    Alberto, I have been using Redline's synthetic grease (CV2) for years on everything in the car. Since you have Redline there, consider this grease.

    Andres
     
  8. JCR

    JCR F1 Veteran
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  9. Pantdino4

    Pantdino4 Karting

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    That is what I use too. You need something that is solid and sticky enough to cling to the surfaces and not break down as soon as a non-synthetic product would
     
  10. celestialcoop

    celestialcoop Formula Junior
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    Coop
    Gents,
    I saw a thread at GT40.com about this subject. Mike Drew had rebuilt over one-hundred Cam Gears LTD (now TRW) racks, like ours, for Panteras. When he found that TRW recommended 0-weight grease, Mike switched to CRC Engine Assembly Lube and has "never looked back."
    I am replacing the boots/gaiters on the Cam Gears r&p in my old Cooper S and will slather up the rack with the CRC lube.
    Cheers,
    Coop
     
  11. JCR

    JCR F1 Veteran
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    Big difference between NLGI #0 and #2. Obviously #2 does not belong in the steering rack.
    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL_4T9YJInA[/ame]
     
  12. celestialcoop

    celestialcoop Formula Junior
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    #12 celestialcoop, Jul 13, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    CRC Extreme Pressure Engine Assembly Lube is listed as NLGI Grade 0.5 at the crcindustries.com website.

    Mike Drew also penned a killer tutorial for rebuilding the Cam Gears racks at panteraplace.com. It is well worth the read. He mentioned again that TRW recommended 0-weight. He found that only 10-gallon containers were available, so opted for the CRC product in 10-ounce tubes.

    Of course, there are variations on the theme, so research other options & use what makes sense to you. My Mini rack is in situ, so the CRC route seems to be the cleanest, most straight-forward way to go.
    Cheers,
    Coop
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. abstamaria

    abstamaria F1 Rookie

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    Hmm. Very interesting, Coop.

    Andres
     
  14. Pantdino4

    Pantdino4 Karting

    Sep 17, 2015
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    Why do feel that way? Seems to me at 100 deg F and over time all the low viscosity grease will melt off the rack and be sitting at the bottom of the boots. The the #2 will cling to the metal and continue to lubricate.

    IIRC Pantera racks actually come filled with motor oil and as it moves back and forth waves of oil get up to the teeth of the rack.
     
  15. celestialcoop

    celestialcoop Formula Junior
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    OK,
    After searching various sites catering to MOWOG, Vauxhall, Jensen Healey, Sunbeam/Tiger, Cobra, Pantera, Ferrari, etc, I have learned that early Cam Gears racks had 140wt oil. By the time ours were built, 90wt was the lube of choice.
    Well, I have rethought my situation. If I were rebuilding the rack on the bench, I would pack/coat/slather all bearings, bushings, Heim-type knuckles, the rack and pinion gear with the CRC Assy Lube. However, I am only replacing torn gaiters/boots & tie rod ends...in situ. So, I will only be replenishing a portion of the 4 ounces of 90 Wt previously in the rack. The process that sounds like a plan is to slide the boots over the rack housing ends and tighten the inner (big end) clamps, then tilt/swivel the threaded rack extensions up and carefully inject some 90W EP oil (using the TLAR method to determine the amount) through the small end of the boot. Slide the clamps into place and tighten. Finally, thread on the tie rod ends to the previously marked spots or guesstimate the alignment, tighten the jam nuts and attach the rod ends to the steering arms.
    A professional alignment would likely be in order after a test drive!
    I will post my results.
    Cheers,
    Coop
     
  16. racerboy9

    racerboy9 Formula 3
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    I am going with the CRC Assy Lube. I have lubed my steering rack twice with 90w and for months it would be dry as a bone and then suddenly a puddle of oil!
     
    john a barnes likes this.
  17. dgt

    dgt Formula 3
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    +1 !
     
    john a barnes likes this.
  18. john a barnes

    john a barnes Karting
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    Dec 19, 2018
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    I'm going with Sta-Lube Moly C.V. joint grease and 2 OZs 140 Syn gear oil thru the bottom plate and then seal it up. I also made a Bronze bushing for the right side. Shaft was wobbling around on my 328 like Mr. Cam Gear forgot something.
     
    swift53 likes this.

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