I've pulled the front lower valence off the GT4 due to a poor fit on the LHS and damage due to bottoming out. While I was in there I thought I'd remove the panel below the steering rack to have a look see. My steering rack is leaking oil, not a lot though but my question is how do you top up the oil level in a 308 rack? and Can you top up the oil with the rack still in the car? Thanks in advance. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The steering rack in a 308 GTB/S was made by CamGears which was later bought out by TRW. Is that the same as in a 308 GT4? This is the same steering rack used in the Panteras in the early 70s as well. Having rebuilt and/or serviced both many times... You can pull the boot off the passenger side of the rack and jack up the driver's side to allow the old oil to drain out. Then jack up the passenger side, remove the wheel and pour the oil in - slowly. If memory serves me, its 5-1/3 ounces. But, while rebuilding my Ferrari rack I did some research and found a guy online (Kevan Jones) who actually worked for Camgears and subsequently TRW. While he said the racks originally had oil in them, the prescribed/Factory lubricant since then is now a zero weight Shell Sterak grease. To grease the rack correctly, you are best off pulling it out. (as a side note, a Pantera buddy recently purchased a new rack and it did come with the zero weight grease and not oil). I think the grease will stay on the rack/pinion and slider block better than the oil anyway. I had a hard time finding the Shell Sterak but I use a CRC engine assembly grease, it is zero weight. There are some gaskets and an O-ring to replace if all you are going to do is service. If you can't find them through a Ferrari shop, call any Pantera shop and they have them much cheaper. Also, check the passenger side of your rack. From the factory they have a plastic bushing that usually gets beat to death by bumpy roads. You can get a replacement bronze bushing for that! When you have the passenger side of the car in the air, grab the end of the rack (moving part) and wiggle it all around. If it moves and clunks, that plastic bushing is toast. Rick
Thanks Ric, I'll try the top up method first as the steering is great. I will check for play in the passenger side bush though.
I had my rack rebuilt by John Haller (JH355) in Washington state. He is THE steering rack guru. If your rack is leaking, it likely needs to be rebuilt. Another thing to do is to lift the front end, grab the wheel at the 12&6 position and check for movement. If you have movement, then the bushing is shot and you will require a rebuild. FWIW, YMMV JIM
