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Steering rack replacement lubrication question

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Sportsdoc

Jedi Trainee
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Does anyone have any experience with the replacement steering rack from VB? I am wondering how to lubricate this rack since there are no grease fittings. There is an extra large allen nut(another tool I don't have) on top of the pinion which I assume I need to remove and add 140 gear oil. The seals also have plastic zip ties so I'm considering taking the old ones off the old rack and using those since I can't imagine those ties lasting very long. I've called VB but they can't get an answer for a couple days.

Thanks for the help.

Richard
66 Sprite restoration in progress
 
The plastic ties would out last the boots, but many people don't like the way they look. You can replace that plug with a grease zerk (I think).
 
I bought the same aftermarket rack and had the same question brewing in the back of my mind. Maybe drill and tap for a grease fitting on the top of the large allen nut\plug? I haven't removed the plug to see if this an option yet, but that's my thinking at the moment.

I did replace the plastic zip ties with stock style clamps - I found it near impossible to adjust the tie rod ends as I could not turn the inner rod without twisting the rubber boot. Those tie straps are tight!
 
I'm still confused about the initial lubrication and appreciate any help. I don't know how you would put a grease fitting in the allen nut since that is an inset type of nut anyway.
 
How is this rack different from your original?
 
No grease fittings, the cap over the pinion is a large allen nut, plastic zip ties over the gaiter seals instead of metal clamps.


Richard
66 Sprite restoration in progress
 
So.. there is nothing where the old grease fitting is located on the old rack?

This is the austin style rack... right?
 
"""""""There is an extra large allen nut on top of the pinion """"""

Do you mean a LARGE ACORN NUT ???

"""""""on top of the pinion which I assume I need to remove and add 140 gear oil. """"""

do not remove the large acorn nut.....OR ..if it has, instead of a hex, has an internal wrenching allen head..DO NOT remove it. That nut retains a spring an brass tensioner for the rack. Even if you remove it the hole will not accept lube.

""""""""the seals also have plastic zip ties """"""

You mean the BOOTS have plastic zip ties .......?? I might suggest you NOT use the zip ties if this is a street car. Use narrow band adjustable or screw clamps 4 places. Reason is that with zips the grease/oil will migrate out cause there will not be an airtight seal with zips.

"""" called VB but they can't get an answer for a couple days.""""""

The calendars in Lenexa dont have the month of June .....

""""""still confused about the initial lubrication and appreciate any help. """"""

On the opposite end of the rack housing...(from the input shaft/pinion) ther should be a plug or a zirc fitting. It will point to the top in the installed position. Just possibly...in a reproduction type rack there will be a plug....if not located there , it should have a filler....there is not much room on the casting end where the pinion is. If there is NOT for positive, a fill plug or zirc, the rack must be removed for periodic maintenence. Surely a part would not be made this way. Maybe it was a real low bid deal and they left some features out/off????

Anyway....if there is no fill port you can roll back the large part of the boots (both) and drip oil in the flat area of the rack.

Have fun.......
 
I'm sure I'm probably describing it incorrectly, but there is a nut on top of the pinion with a recessed area that looks like only an allen wrench would fit it. My old rack has a convex plug on the same spot. No grease fittings, no other plugs.

The label on the rack says it was made in Argentina.....


Richard
66 Sprite restoration in progress
 
Really need to see some pics of this. Wonder if it is even a correct rack?
 
Sorry, I'm not up to speed on the pic stage of this posting yet. I have plenty of photos, but apparently you have to have them on a website to have a URL address. If there is another way please let me know. It is the exact one in the VB catalog, page 3 of the Summer 2007 edition. The more I think about it, the more I think I'm going to try to find someone to rebuild my original rack. Any recommendations?

Richard
66 Sprite restoration in progress
 
It's a cheap aftermarket option VB started carrying late last year (I think)@ $200. I bought one just for the economics of it and timing as my old one needed more attention than I could give it.

As Richard says, there is absolutely no provision for lubrication and the nut he is talking about is right above where the pinion gear meets the rack.

It fits well, but I haven't driven the car on the road with it yet to know how it performs. I still plan on a full rebuild of my original rack at some point so I look at it as a temporary rack.

A poor picture of my VB Argentina rack is here:

https://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bugeyeal/detail?.dir=/c054re2&.dnm=e59cre2.jpg&.src=ph
 
photo


Here's my first image try. If this works, I'll do some more!
 
Who knows how good it is or isn't.

I have a spare and never expect to use it but will save just in case.
 
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