8 replies to this topic

[Sussex_pete]

Well the IJ Mini failed its first MOT after 9 years off the road. Not as bad as I had expected. Both steering rack gaiters had splits that I hadn't noticed. Getting ready for fiiting the new ones and the lube that came out of the rack was very fluid and grey in colour. The Haynes manual indicates SAE90 for early racks and semi-fluid grease for later ones. As what came out looked like a combination of both, just wondering what I should refill with.

[nicklouse]

SAE90

[imack]

EP90 as above

[dotmatrix]

It seems unlikely that sae90 Will stay in There but might be correct none the less

[tiger99]

EP90 stays in very well actually, unless a gaiter is damaged. The only problem is getting it in! Easy with rack off car, drivers end uppermost, large gaiter clip undone.

 

In situ, you can loosen driver's side gaiter to track rod clip and insert a thin tube, then use a syringe or funnel to feed in the correct amount. An offcut of cunifer brake pipe or the smallest size of plastic windscreen washer tube will go in, if the gaiter is made from the correct material there is a useful amount of stretch.

 

If possible jack up the driver's side of the car as high as possible and support securely on axle stands to encourage the oil to go to where it is needed.

[imack]

I just put ep90 into a pump type oil can and insert the spout/nozzle between the drivers side track rod and gaiter after removing the clip.

[Broomer]

Last rack i fitted I just slapped in. Should I have done this ?

[Steve8274]

Last rack i fitted I just slapped in. Should I have done this ?

Hope so.
I have done the same. Purchased a brand new one from minispares.
I didn’t see anything on their website or the rack itself that would suggest it needed filling first. I presumed, maybe wrongly it would have been prefilled

[mini13]

New racks come with grease in I belive, the grease is OK, but over time it can trap water and cause issues, so it's worth sticking some oil in at some point.