42 replies to this topic

[tefa]

Anyone know what oil to run in the steering rack, and how much??
Also, is there any difference with the rack "itself" between LX and UC?? I'm hoping to solid mount the rack.

[76lxhatch]

Straight SAE140 gear oil if you can find it (0.33 pints), I've gotten away with 85W140 diff oil before

[tefa]

Beautiful thanks Fella's

[tefa]

yep good call
Cheers

[Tyre biter]

Bit of a thread dredge I know, but I found this thread useful and havinbg worked fom the same, have something to add.

I went looking for grease to use; Castrol EPl-0 (zero) or similar but found it hard to find and only avalable in large amounts (10kg). I found tubes of EPL-2 grease but after speaking with Castrol I learned it was not runny enough and EPL-0 was the only viable option there in terms of looking for a semi-liquid grease..

Whilst looking for the Castrol product I happened to find a Nulon grease (L80) and wrote to them asking about the same in regards to its suitability for my steering rack. Of interest I got this reponse;
When recommending lubricants it is best to follow the lubrication specifications that were set by the original equipment
manufacturer. Your information indicates that Holden specified the use of a mono-grade gear oil (SAE 140) to lubricate the
internals of their steering rack. Using an oil in a manual steering rack allows for “splash” lubrication, where the movement of the
vehicle while driving and cornering etc causes the oil to flow to all areas of the rack mechanism and bushings to provide
lubrication. Using a grease for lubrication does not create “splash” lubrication as the grease will not flow as an oil does. We
would not recommend the use of L80 Extreme Performance Grease to lubricate your steering rack.

Mono-grade SAE 140 gear oils are becoming difficult to source as multi-grade gear oils are now the industry norm. The original
SAE 140 oil most probably carried a GL1 rating as this was the industry standard at the time of manufacture, whereas the
industry norm is now GL4 or GL5. The use of a GL4 or GL5 rated oils in older vehicle design can cause issues with certain
metals such as brass in bushings etc.

Our recommendation would be to use a high viscosity engine oil which has similar viscosity as SAE 140 and similar anti-wear
and anti-corrosion properties as a GL1 gear oil. The recommended Nulon oil for your application would be 40-70 Extra Thick
Oil. This product is shown below and is available in 1 litre bottles.

Now the funny thing is, my Torana Club has a wonderful sponsor (Capital Steering and Suspension) who way back told me they used an engine oil to lubricate the steering rack. Now I poo-poo-ed this response given this and other threads recommending grease or SAE 140 oil but it turns out that such an approach is indeed corroborated by a renowned lubricant manufacturer (notwithstanding their recommending an engine oil from their own range to suit).

Just thought I'd share what I have been told as it may help some (like me) in deciding what is best to do. I'll leave it to the forum veterans and the more knowledgeable/trained/qualified to decide the merits of Nulon's advice.

Cheers, TB

[ls2lxhatch]

If you rack was done by Wilkinsons then they will have used grease. All of the rack re-builders I have spoken to use grease.

The only way to check the level is to drain and refill. You can just take one boot off and pour the oil in.

[A9X]

You have mine there at the moment, bit of extra love would be appreciated

[hanra]

Yeah Ill put oil in mine.

[Tyre biter]

Straight SAE140 gear oil if you can find it (0.33 pints), I've gotten away with 85W140 diff oil before

Stupid question time;
Is the 0.33 pint referred to here and in other threads the UK (Imperial pint = 188ml) or US (US pint = 156ml)?

Oh, and re: my post above re: Bulon 40-70 engine oil - couldn;t find it in 1 litre containers.
I have found Penrite Transoil T140 - it is for older cars like ours that require GL1 oil and after speaking with Penrite technical folk is very much suitable for steering racks - About $18 for a litre.
http://www.penriteoi...ic/transoil_140

Cheers, TB

Edited by Tyre biter, 02 February 2012 - 11:12 AM.

[ls2lxhatch]

The Gregorys manual specifies Castrol Hi-press B140 oil. Capacity approx 0.18 litres (0.33 imp pts).

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 02 February 2012 - 11:28 AM.

[Tyre biter]

That's great - thanks.
Cheers, TB

[ReplicarSLR]

Trentm, hold rack in a vertical possition, undo the upper big end boot from the rack and pour it in, keeping rack in vertical possition re attach boot, re-install rack. It is depicted in the original GMH service manuals, not sure if it's shown in the non GMH manuals though.

[Dr Terry]

I've been rebuilding racks as part of my business for nearly 38 years, I think we gave up using oil about 37 years ago.

All racks we overhaul receive high temperature (lithium-based) wheel bearing grease as they are assembled, it lasts much longer than oil.

Dr Terry

[A9X]

Picked up friday lunch, so probably.
Its home now, another one coming in soon.

[EunUCh]

So,the experts fill the rack with grease despite the manuals requirement of oil.
I hope the next time i get the front wheel bearings lubed I dont end up with oil in them because
someone knows better.(instead of grease).
If some expert steeering rebuilder told me that they pack a rack and pinion with grease I would tell them to get another job,
and some other shit that wont be mentioned here!
GMH manual specifies OIL,
If the blokes that designed the stuff specify oil then oil it is.
Otherwise they got it wrong.
FFS.

[76lxhatch]

If the blokes that designed the stuff specify oil then oil it is.
Otherwise they got it wrong.

No-one is necessarily wrong, correctly packing the rack with grease would be a more difficult and time consuming operation which would add to the cost of buying and servicing/repairing the car from new (all these small things add up), and lubricants have changed and improved over the years. Rear wheel bearings are lubricated with oil in a Torana...