Are you supposed to grease your steering rack?

[catalyst.]

I dunno this may be a really dumb question im not sure. When doing my tierods it seems like there is grease on the steering rack gear teeth already.

So am i supposed to put grease on these teeth or not?

[///M3Augy]

I'm sure adding some wouldn't hurt?

[catalyst.]

i thought there was ps fluid inside the rack where the steering gears are thats why im asking, it seems like mixing grease and ps fluid might be bad.. i dunno.

[Chris@RRT]

No, the PS fluid just provides the hydraulic boost. The teeth themselves are greased.

[catalyst.]

ahh i see, what the heck is the purpose of those two lines that run along the back of the rack then?

so there is no harm at all in greasing those teeth. would it hurt to throw a little grease on the piston itself on both sides?

[Chris@RRT]

Sorry, I don't know how to answer your question about the lines. I suppose there is no harm in greasing the teeth, but I don't think it's worth putting grease anywhere the factory didn't put it. Seeing as I don't know what kind of grease is used in that application, I don't really know what to recommend. One thing to consider: All the grease the factory used is still in the rack. Why not just re-distribute it and forget about it?

[Tronix]

There's no need to add any grease to your rack teeth. I would really recommend against it since I doubt you have the proper lubricant at hand and you don't want to use the wrong kind of grease and possibly ruin the rack seals. Just replace the tie rods and reinstall the boots keeping everything nice and clean and you'll be fine.

Nice avatar Chris! Booyaa!

[n2bimmer]

Here is when i did my Tie Rod DIY. No prob so far. All purpose grease.





OLD Grease




NEW Grease

[catalyst.]

thanks for those pics man, yeah i basically did the same thing... then i double took and was like was i supposed to do that... hahah

how long has your rack been running like that?

[Chris@RRT]

There's no need to add any grease to your rack teeth. I would really recommend against it since I doubt you have the proper lubricant at hand and you don't want to use the wrong kind of grease and possibly ruin the rack seals. Just replace the tie rods and reinstall the boots keeping everything nice and clean and you'll be fine.

Nice avatar Chris! Booyaa!

Like my line says, Bruce: I'm fixin to try this at home!

[gsparks97]

Those lines equalize pressure in the boots as they move back and forth

[catalyst.]

really? nothing besides air goes through them? hah

[Evil Spoonman]

really? nothing besides air goes through them? hah

I believe he means the ATF pressure in this case, not air pressure. BMW's steering rack is self-bleeding, I do not believe air is a desirable substance to have in your rack.