Grease for steering rack is required to guarantee the best operation of the rack and to extend its service life. Grease can be detected on all sorts of steering racks made of plastic lithium.
Specialized grease for the steering rack is preferable since it works better and has a longer action, but it is more expensive.
What types of grease are best to use in steering rack lubrication?
In general, steering rack greases are classified based on the ingredients and price.
To lubricate the steering rack, you can use inexpensive greases. Their features are sufficient to ensure that the steering racks operate normally. However, more expensive lubricants offer greater protection and last longer.
- Calcium or graphite. This is the cheapest, mid-range lubricant. Well suited for cars belonging to a budget class.
- Complex calcium grease. Absorbs moisture and changes its consistency and properties. However, it acts well on lower temperatures
- Sodium and calcium-sodium. These lubricants do not cope with moisture very well, although they can work at high temperatures.
- Copper. They perfectly withstand high and low temperatures but absorb moisture. They are also quite expensive.
- Barium and hydrocarbon. These are also one of the most expensive greases, but they have high-performance characteristics.
- Lithium greases. Works well in a wide temperature range. A disadvantage would be its gradual liquefaction, due to which it gradually spreads.
When do you need to use lubrication for the steering rack?
Before a new automobile leaves the manufacturing gates, the manufacturer applies oil to the steering rack. However, the grease loses its characteristics over time, becomes unclean, thickens, and eventually falls off. That is why car owners must change the oil on a regular basis.
Some indications indicate that you should inspect the grease on your steering rack.
- When driving over bumps, the rail starts to squeak or hum.
- If the steering rack does not have a power steering usually you need to lubricate it when you notice that turning the steering wheel becomes more difficult than before.
- Squeaking noise when turning the steering wheel. This is the most common symptom that is often caused by worn grease. In this case, hum sounds come precisely from the rail, usually on the left side of the car.
The preceding symptoms are also produced by a worn out lubricant, however if you notice them, you should undertake further steering rack tests.
What are the requirements for steering rack lubricants?
If you do decide to use a steering rack lubricant, keep the following points in mind.
- It must protect the metal surfaces from corrosion. A quality lubricant does this job for you, to protect working surfaces of parts from excessive wear and, if possible, restore them at least you for a considerable amount of time.
- The lubricant should not harm parts made of various metals and rubber such as steel, copper, aluminum, plastic. This is especially true for a steering rack with power steering. It has a lot of rubber seals that should work properly and withstand working pressure.
- The lubricant needs to operate at a different range of temperatures and have a constant viscosity. The grease must not change its properties, especially at low temperatures where there is a risk for it to freeze.
- A high constant level of adhesion, which practically does not change because of the conditions of its operation. This also applies to both the temperature regime and the value of the relative humidity of the ambient air.
- A good steering rack lubricant should not absorb water at all.
A good quality steering rack grease that is based on lithium will exhibit the above features.
Recommended steering rack lubricants
Synthetic Grease Lubricant Molykote
Molykote is one of the greatest steering rack greases. It is a lithium soap-based synthetic, frost and heat resistant heavy duty grease. It has a broader variety of applications on numerous automobile parts that require lubrication.
Anti-Seize Lubricant Permatex
Permatex is a high-quality grease that is commonly used in the automobile industry. It is ideal for corrosion and seizing.
Mobilgrease XHP 221 Premium Lubricating Grease by Mobil
Mobil Mobilgrease is a high-quality grease that is commonly utilized in harsh operating situations. Based on lithium, it has great adhesion and performance at high temperatures, as well as being water resistant. It also provides exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion.
10301 Xtra Heavy Duty Grease by Lucas Oil
One of the best greases on the market, especially for heavy equipment, it performs admirably. The disadvantage is his exorbitant price.
