Steering rack grease

Steering rack grease necessary to ensure the normal operation of this unit, extending its service life. Lubrication is used for all three types of steering racks - without power steering, with hydraulic power steering (GUR) and electric power steering (EUR). To lubricate the steering mechanism, lithium greases are usually used, starting with the usual Litol and ending with more expensive, special lubricants.

Specialized lubricants for the shaft and under the steering rack boot work better and last longer. However, their major drawback is their high price. See an overview of the best steering rack lubricants based on reviews found on the Internet and the technical characteristics of the products themselves. It will help determine the choice of lubricant.

Grease name	Brief description and characteristics	Package volume, ml/mg	The price of one package as of the summer of 2019, Russian rubles
"Litol 24"	General purpose multipurpose lithium grease commonly used in various machine assemblies. Perfectly suited for laying in the steering rack. An additional advantage is the availability in stores and low price. One of the best options.	100	60
"Fiol-1"	The analogue of "Litol-24" is a universal lithium grease, excellent for laying under the boot or on the steering rack shaft. Softer than Litol. The manufacturer recommends laying it in the rails of VAZ cars. Differs in the low price.	800	230
Molykote EM-30L	Synthetic grease with wide temperature range. Perfect for lubricating the steering rack shaft, as well as for laying it in anthers. also one feature - the manufacturer clearly indicates that it can be used to lubricate the worm of the steering rack with electric power steering. The disadvantage is the very high price.	1000	8800
BUT MG-213	General purpose lithium grease with a wide temperature range. Please note that it can only be used in metal-to-metal friction pairs. It is undesirable to use it with rubber and plastic parts.	400	300
Liqui Moly Thermoflex special grease	Lithium based grease. It has excellent characteristics, safe for rubber, plastic, elastomer. Can be used for home renovations. The disadvantage is the high price.	370	1540

When to Use Steering Rack Lube

Initially, manufacturers always put a certain amount of lubricant on the shaft and under the anthers of the steering rack. However, over time, as it gets dirty and thickened, the factory grease gradually loses its properties and becomes unusable. Therefore, the car owner needs to periodically change the steering rack lubricant.

There are a number of signs, if at least one of which is present, it is necessary to revise the condition of the steering rack, and, if necessary, replace the lubricant. In parallel with this, other work is also possible, for example, the replacement of rubber sealing rings. So, these signs include:

• Creaking when turning the steering wheel. In this case, the rumble or extraneous sounds come from the rack, usually from the left side of the car.
• For racks that are not equipped with power steering, the turn becomes tighter, that is, it becomes more difficult to turn the steering wheel.
• when driving over irregularities, the rake also begins to creak and / or rumble. However, in this case, additional diagnostics must be performed, since the reason may not be in the rail.

If a car enthusiast encounters at least one of the above signs, then additional diagnostic steps need to be taken, including checking for lubrication in the steering rack.

What kind of grease to lubricate the steering rack

For lubrication of steering racks, plastic greases are usually used. In fact, they can be divided according to the composition on which they are based, and therefore, according to the price range. In general, steering rack lubricants can be divided into the following types:

• Lithium greases. A classic example is the famous "Litol-24", which is ubiquitous in machine mechanisms, including it is often used to process the steering rack. Can operate over a wide temperature range. Its only drawback is the gradual liquefaction, due to which it gradually spreads.
• Calcium or graphite (solidol). This is the class of the cheapest lubricants with average performance. Well suited for cars belonging to the budget class.
• Complex calcium grease. It tolerates low temperatures well, but absorbs moisture, and at the same time changes its consistency and properties.
• Sodium and calcium-sodium. Such lubricants do not withstand moisture well, although they can work at high temperatures.
• barium and hydrocarbons. These are one of the most expensive lubricants, but they have high performance characteristics.
• Copper. Excellent resistance to high and low temperatures, but absorb moisture. are also quite expensive.

As practice shows, it is quite possible to use inexpensive lithium greasesthus saving the car owner money. Their characteristics are quite enough to ensure the normal operation of the steering racks.

General requirements for lubricants

in order to correctly answer the question of which steering rack lubricant is better, you need to figure out the requirements that the ideal candidate must meet. So, you need to take into account:

• Working temperature range. This is especially true of its lower limit, since in winter the lubricant should not freeze, but in summer, even in the greatest heat, the steering mechanism is unlikely to warm up to high temperatures (even up to + 100 ° C, the temperature is unlikely to reach).
• Constant viscosity at the paste level. Moreover, this is true for the operation of the lubricant in all temperature ranges in which the machine is operated.
• High constant level of adhesion, which practically does not change with changes in its operating conditions. This also applies to both the temperature regime and the value of the relative humidity of the ambient air.
• Protection of metal surfaces from corrosion. The steering housing cannot always provide tightness, therefore, in most cases, moisture and dirt get into it, which, as you know, have a detrimental effect on metal, including the so-called stainless steel.
• chemical neutrality. namely, the lubricant should not harm parts made of various metals - steel, copper, aluminum, plastic, rubber. This is especially true for the steering rack with power steering. It has a lot of rubber seals that should work fine and withstand the working pressure. This is less true for cars with electric power steering.
• Restorative abilities. Steering rack lubrication should protect the working surfaces of parts from excessive wear and, if possible, restore them. This is usually achieved by using modern additives like metal conditioner or similar compounds.
• Zero hygroscopicity. Ideally, the lubricant should not absorb water at all.

All of these properties are fully satisfied with lithium greases. As for electric steering racks, the use of such tools is safe for them, since they are dielectrics. Accordingly, they cannot damage the internal combustion engine or other elements of the amplifier's electrical system.

Popular Steering Rack Lubricants

Domestic drivers mainly use the above lithium greases. Based on the reviews found on the Internet, a rating of popular steering rack lubricants was compiled. the list is not commercial in nature and does not endorse any lubricant. If you have justified criticism - write about it in the comments.

"Litol 24"

Litol 24 universal grease is an anti-friction, multi-purpose, waterproof lubricant used in friction units. It is made on the basis of mineral oils and with the addition of lithium. It has an optimal operating temperature range from -40°C to +120°C. The color of "Litol 24" may vary depending on the manufacturer - from light yellow to brown. It meets almost all of the above requirements for steering rack lubricants - high anti-corrosion properties, no water in its composition, high chemical, mechanical and colloidal stability. It is Litol 24 grease that is recommended for the steering rack by the domestic automaker VAZ. In addition, Litol 24 can be used in many other systems and mechanisms of the car, as well as when making repairs at home. Therefore, it is definitely recommended for purchase to all car owners. The only thing you need to pay attention to when buying is its compliance with GOST.

Please note that Litol 24 727 does not conduct electricity, so it may well be used to process steering racks equipped with electric power steering.

1

"Fiol-1"

Fiol-1 grease is an analogue of Litol, however, it is a softer lithium grease. is also versatile and multifunctional. Many masters recommend using it in a rail without power steering or for electric steering racks. Its operating temperature range is from -40°С to +120°С.

Fiol-1 can be used for friction units lubricated through grease fittings, in flexible shafts or control cables with a sheath up to 5 mm in diameter, for processing low-power gearboxes, lightly loaded small-sized bearings. Officially, it is believed that in many lubrication units "Fiol-1" and "Litol 24" can be mutually replaced (but not in all, this needs to be further clarified).

In general, Fiol-1 is an excellent inexpensive solution for putting lubricant in the steering rack, especially for inexpensive budget-class cars. Numerous reviews say exactly this.

2

Molykote EM-30L

Many greases are sold under the Molikot trademark, but one of the most popular for lubricating the steering rack is a novelty called Molykote EM-30L. It is a synthetic cold and heat resistant heavy duty grease based on lithium soap. Temperature range — from -45°С to +150°С. Can be used in plain bearings, sheathed control cables, slideways, seals, enclosed gears. Safe for rubber and plastic parts, lead-free, resistant to water wash-off, improves wear resistance of the material.

Molykote EM-30L 4061854 is recommended for lubricating the worm of the steering rack, namely, equipped with an electric booster. The only drawback of this lubricant is its high price compared to budget counterparts. Accordingly, it should be used only if the car owner managed to, as they say, “get” it, and not buy it.

3

BUT MG-213

EFELE MG-213 4627117291020 is a multipurpose heat resistant lithium complex grease containing extreme pressure additives. Excellent for working in mechanisms operating at high temperatures and high loads. Thus, the temperature operating range of the lubricant is from -30°С to +160°С. It is stuffed into rolling bearings, plain bearings and other units where metal-to-metal surfaces work. It has excellent anti-corrosion properties, is resistant to washing off with water, and increases the service life of the part.

In general, the lubricant has proven itself well when laying it in the steering rack. However, as in the previous version, you should not specifically buy it for bookmarking, but you can only use it if there is such an opportunity. The price of this lubricant is higher than the average level in the market.

4

Liqui Moly Thermoflex special grease

Liqui Moly Thermoflex Spezialfett 3352 is an NLGI Grade 50 grease. It can be used in the operation of bearings, gearboxes, including highly loaded ones. It is highly resistant to moisture and foreign chemical elements. Safe for rubber, plastic and composite materials. Differs in high service life. Temperature range of use from -140°С to +XNUMX°С.

Liquid Moth universal grease can be used on all steering racks - with power steering, with electric power steering, as well as on racks without power steering. Given its versatility and high performance properties, it is unambiguously recommended for use not only in the steering system of a car, but also for repair work on other elements, including at home. The only drawback of Liqui Moly brand products is their high price.

5

The funds listed above are the most popular, including because of their relatively low cost.

StepUp SP1629 lubricant can also be recommended separately. This is a multipurpose heat resistant synthetic molybdenum disulphide grease based on synthetic oil thickened with a calcium complex. The grease contains metal conditioner SMT2, which provides the product with very high extreme pressure, anti-corrosion and anti-wear properties. It has a wide temperature range - from -40°C to +275°C. The only drawback of the Step Up lubricant is the high price, namely, for a 453-gram jar, stores ask for approximately 2019 Russian rubles as of the summer of 600.

also a couple of good domestic and proven options - Ciatim-201 and Severol-1. "Ciatim-201" is an inexpensive lithium anti-friction multipurpose grease with a wide temperature range (from -60°C to +90°C). Similarly, Severol-1 is a lithium grease very similar in composition to Litol-24. Contains antioxidant and antifriction additives. Well suited for use in northern latitudes.

Many drivers put grease for angular velocity joints - "SHRUS-4" in the steering rack. It also has the properties listed above - high adhesion, antioxidant properties, low volatility, protective properties. Operating temperature range - -40°C to +120°C. However, it is better to use such a lubricant only if it is, as they say, at hand. And so it is better to use the lithium greases listed above.

How to grease a steering rack

After the choice has been made in favor of one or another lubricant for the rail, you need to remember that it is also necessary to lubricate this assembly correctly. It is important to separate the rails from the power steering and the rails without an amplifier, as well as from the EUR. The fact is that in hydraulic steering racks there is no need to lubricate their drive shaft, since it is lubricated naturally thanks to the power steering fluid, namely, the contact point of the gear and rack is lubricated. But the shafts of conventional racks and racks with electric power steering need lubrication.

To change the lubricant on the shaft, the steering rack can not be dismantled. The main thing is to find the adjusting mechanism, where, in fact, the new lubricant is put. Where it is located on a specific car model - you need to take an interest in the relevant technical documentation. The second important point is that it is advisable to carefully remove the old grease so that it does not mix with the newly laid agent. However, to do this, you will need to dismantle the rail. But in most cases, new grease on the shaft is simply added to the old one.

The process of changing the lubricant on the rack shaft will generally be carried out according to the algorithm below:

1. Unscrew the clamping bolts of the cover of the adjusting mechanism, remove the adjusting spring.
2. Remove the pressure shoe from the rack housing.
3. Lubricants must be filled into the opened volume of the rail housing. Its quantity depends on the size of the rack (car model). It is also impossible to lay a lot, since it can be squeezed out through the seals.
4. After that, return the shoe to its place. It should sit tightly in its place, and the lubricant should not come out through the extreme seals on the rail and precisely from under the piston.
5. It is advisable to leave a small amount of grease between the rail and the shoe. Check the integrity of the sealing rings.
6. Screw back the fixing bolts of the adjusting plate.
7. Grease will naturally spread inside the rail during use.

Together with the rack shaft, it is also necessary to change the lubricant under the anther (fill it with grease) at the bottom of the rack. Again, each car model may have its own design features, but in general, the work algorithm will be as follows:

1. With the vehicle stationary, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and jack up the right side of the vehicle.
2. Remove the right front wheel.
3. Using a brush and / or rags, you need to clean the parts that are in close proximity to the rack boot so that debris does not get inside.
4. Loosen the tie on the anther and cut or unscrew the mounting collar.
5. Move the protective corrugation in order to gain access to the internal volume of the anther.
6. Remove old grease and existing debris.
7. Lubricate the rack and fill the boot with new grease.
8. Pay attention to the condition of the anther. If it is torn, then it must be replaced, since a torn anther is a common breakdown of the steering rack, due to which a knock may occur when the steering wheel is turned.
9. Install the clamp in the seat, secure it.
10. A similar procedure must be carried out on the opposite side of the car.

Have you lubricated the steering rack yourself? How often do you do it and why? Write about it in the comments.