Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Steering rack grease type

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
Robster68
Member
Member
Posts: 439
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:58 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by Robster68 » Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:27 pm

I’m looking for suggestions and how much do you use under the rubber boots?Do you pack them out like rear driveshaft ones?

User avatar
grannyknot
Member
Member
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by grannyknot » Sat Nov 19, 2022 11:00 pm

Generally, not a lot is needed, the inner tie rod has a space behind the ball that is packed with grease before metal is crimped around it, a bit isn't going to hurt.
But if boot is loaded up, on fast turns the grease and air have to exit that boot quickly and it can blow the end out, then there is the possibility of sand getting in.
If you want to be diligent you cut the metal band, pull the boot back from the rack side, turn the wheel all the way on that side and lube up the rack well then do the same on the other.
A tie wrap works just as well to seal up the boot again.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario

Robster68
Member
Member
Posts: 439
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:58 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by Robster68 » Sun Nov 20, 2022 9:44 am

Thanks for detailed reply,I’m replacing tie rods and ball joints anyway,,so I’ll remove the boots clean out all old grease turning steering from lock to lock and replace with this bmw grease.
Attachments
10CCC94E-8F22-470D-AABA-6AE5FFDC4498.png
10CCC94E-8F22-470D-AABA-6AE5FFDC4498.png (473.55 KiB) Viewed 567 times

u02sgb
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:42 am
Location: Glasgow

Steering rack grease type

Post by u02sgb » Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:08 pm

You sure using a zip tie is ok?

Having to buy the tools to do it with a proper metal crimp is the only thing putting me off.

User avatar
BumpyZ4
Member
Member
Posts: 583
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2020 8:05 pm
Location: New Orleans, LA USA

Steering rack grease type

Post by BumpyZ4 » Thu Nov 24, 2022 4:48 pm

u02sgb wrote: Sun Nov 20, 2022 7:08 pm You sure using a zip tie is ok?

Having to buy the tools to do it with a proper metal crimp is the only thing putting me off.
After greasing my rack I installed a zip tie and it's been on for over a year with no issues.
2003 E85 3.0i Sterling Gray
KLR 650
Diva Roadster (Kit Car)

u02sgb
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:42 am
Location: Glasgow

Steering rack grease type

Post by u02sgb » Fri Nov 25, 2022 4:03 pm

Excellent, thanks.

Robster68
Member
Member
Posts: 439
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:58 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by Robster68 » Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:28 am

I bought sachs grease finally and can recommend it,very nice consistency.
Greased the rack,fitted new tie rods,the lemforder rubber boots are different to the old ones,metal clips supplied 56mm and 52mm which seems a bit big when fitted on the car.
Attachments
C7D757C1-8DF4-429D-8D99-6286172B526F.png
C7D757C1-8DF4-429D-8D99-6286172B526F.png (209.28 KiB) Viewed 358 times
DE42CEB9-B725-4893-8A77-75D78796DE0B.jpeg
DE42CEB9-B725-4893-8A77-75D78796DE0B.jpeg (212.79 KiB) Viewed 358 times
C65A3074-EFC8-425D-84DC-3D5E30432F50.jpeg
C65A3074-EFC8-425D-84DC-3D5E30432F50.jpeg (139.72 KiB) Viewed 358 times

User avatar
grannyknot
Member
Member
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by grannyknot » Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:20 am

:thumbsup: I found the torque spec for those inner ball joints was almost impossible to reach considering there is nothing more than the rack itself to hold on to, it's okay on the pinion side but the far side the rack ends up twisting in a very scary way, I used thread locker, red.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario

Robster68
Member
Member
Posts: 439
Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:58 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by Robster68 » Sun Dec 04, 2022 10:36 am

grannyknot wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:20 am :thumbsup: I found the torque spec for those inner ball joints was almost impossible to reach considering there is nothing more than the rack itself to hold on to, it's okay on the pinion side but the far side the rack ends up twisting in a very scary way, I used thread locker, red.
They undid with a spanner and hammer so that’s how I did them up.

User avatar
grannyknot
Member
Member
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2021 1:18 pm

Steering rack grease type

Post by grannyknot » Sun Dec 04, 2022 3:13 pm

Robster68 wrote: Sun Dec 04, 2022 10:36 am
grannyknot wrote: Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:20 am :thumbsup: I found the torque spec for those inner ball joints was almost impossible to reach considering there is nothing more than the rack itself to hold on to, it's okay on the pinion side but the far side the rack ends up twisting in a very scary way, I used thread locker, red.
They undid with a spanner and hammer so that’s how I did them up.
Good idea, I also removed with sharp raps with a hammer but didn't think to re tighten the same way.
2008 E86 M coupe
Toronto, Ontario

Post Reply