Hi Gents:

I have a Westfield steering rack that I took apart to have a good look at. It was initially filled with some sort of grease. I got the impression that sometimes the MKII rack was filled with oil. I'm leaning toward going for the grease. If this is a bad idea, please set me straight. If grease is indeed the stuff to use, which type?

--Thanks, Chris

The racks are meant to be filled with SAE90 oil rather than grease. But for some reason most people stuff grease in them.

According to the escort haynes manual, and the maintenace manual, the racks should have 150ml of SAE90 in them.

If you want to use grease then axle grease is probably a good thing to use.

David

Hi David:
Thanks for the response. I’m honestly a bit indifferent as to what to use. The grease seemed easier and the rack came packed with the grease. If oil is the stuff to use, so be it! But what happens when the oil leaks out the gaitors? And since my rack still has a film of grease on it, will that effect the oil penetration?

--Thanks, Chris

Oil is more of a problem if the gaitors split yes as it drips out slowly. If you cant be bothered to clean all the grease out of the rack, just pack it with some more.... Oil will dissolve the grease eventually (they are both petrochemical more than likely) if you do decide to use oil. I refilled mine with oil, but it came filled with grease...i just took it right apart and washed it all with white spirit.

Not really sure if it makes a lot of difference tbh.