Spitfire rack n pinion lub

[fredv]

i'm rebuilding my Spitfire R&P and need to know what to lub it with. there are no zerk fittings on it. i looks like it has a moly type grease in it now.
thanks,
Fred V

[sd80mac7204]

I use 80-w90 gear lube. There is a small plug where the steering shaft goes into the rack. Remove said plug and thread in a zerk. Once adding oil is done you can replace the plug.

[Andrew Mace]

I suppose geal oil is ok; ISTR older racks called for that. But Triumph typically called for the same grease as you would use in the rear hubs or water pump (if it's the older, greaseable type).

[3798j]

Try Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease. I really liked the results - very smooth.

[fredv]

I use 80-w90 gear lube. There is a small plug where the steering shaft goes into the rack. Remove said plug and thread in a zerk. Once adding oil is done you can replace the plug.

there is no such plug in mine. my guess is that it doesn't need grease once packed initially. it would be easy to drill and install a zerk since it is all apart now.
Fred V

[Andrew Mace]

Take a look at #35 (large screw-in cap) and #36 (grease plug) in this diagram of a Spitfire Mk3 rack from Canley Classics. I chose this one as it's more obvious than the later Spitfire diagram in showing you where the grease plug (or Zerk) is or would be. Some later racks might not have had it, and most new ones don't as I recall.

[fredv]

thanks Andrew. i do have that plug. i didn't remove it yet so didn't realize a zerk could be put in there.

another question. does anyone in the states sell a u-joint to replace the rag joint. i found one from a UK supplier.
Fred V