Steering Rack

[351mustanger]

Is there a way to lubricate the rack and pinion gears in the trailmaster 150 steering rack? Mine has not been driven in a while and feels a little stiff. There is a rubber cap close to where the steering shaft is connected. Underneath the cap is what looks to be a lock ring and set screw. I wasn't sure I should mess with them for fear of botching the alignment. Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[x-bird]

If you can pull the end boots back over the tie rods without destroying them, you can lube it by turning it all the way to one side, brushing grease on the exposed rack teeth, then turn it full lock to the other side and do the same. repeat the procedure a half dozen times or so and you should be good to go. pretty sure the lock ring and set screw should set the lash, (it's also how you get at the pinion gear to diassemble) and no, you're really shouldn't change the setting on that unless the pinion gear feels like its sloppy to the rack.

[351mustanger]

Thanks. I will see if I can get some grease in there. I figured the set screw and lock ring were keeping things lined up. As soon as I saw them I thought, I better ask somebody.

[jmansracerocket]

Originally Posted by x-bird

If you can pull the end boots back over the tie rods without destroying them, you can lube it by turning it all the way to one side, brushing grease on the exposed rack teeth, then turn it full lock to the other side and do the same. repeat the procedure a half dozen times or so and you should be good to go. pretty sure the lock ring and set screw should set the lash, (it's also how you get at the pinion gear to diassemble) and no, you're really shouldn't change the setting on that unless the pinion gear feels like its sloppy to the rack.

bingo! that's how I always did mine.