Steering rack grease nipple photo

[MorrisJohn]

Gentlemen, I went under the carpet on the passenger side of the footwell to find the steering rack grease point. I removed the little rubber grommet (the only one I saw) and this is what I see inside.

I was expecting to find a normal looking grease nipple.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[oliver90owner]

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Not from where I’m sitting!

[ManyMinors]

Hard to tell from your photo. It should be a normal grease nipple into which you should pump gear oil. Has somebody pushed a plastic cap onto the nipple perhaps? A bit of cleaning and investigation should quickly provide an answer.

[philthehill]

I would suggest that the oil nipple has been replaced with a 90 degree grease nipple and which is now accessed from below so as not to disturb the carpets.

[geoberni]

I totally agree with Philthehill.
That looks like a 90 degree nipple, pointing down along the floor line to the ground. Possibly with an extension added too.

[MorrisJohn]

Thank you very much Phil - and geo. So the nipple for the gun to go onto should now be found on the underside of the car. Makes sense. I’ll have a look underneath next time I get the chance.

Much appreciated

I would suggest that the oil nipple has been replaced with a 90 degree grease nipple and which is now accessed from below so as not to disturb the carpets.

[MorrisJohn]

Here’s what I’m seeing on the underside. No obvious nipple?

[philthehill]

The nipple is there. In your photo the part of the nipple you put the grease gun on is shrouded by the main body of the grease nipple.
Try and get a spanner on the main body of the grease nipple and turn it so that the nipple is more accessible.

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks again. Am I best going in from the side with the wheel off?

The nipple is there. In your photo the part of the nipple you put the grease gun on is shrouded by the main body of the grease nipple.
Try and get a spanner on the main body of the grease nipple and turn it so that the nipple is more accessible.

[philthehill]

You may be able to reach in with the wheel turned on full lock. Which lock you will have to determine.
Be careful not to put too much pressure on the grease nipple as an excess of pressure could snap off the grease nipple where it fits into the rack.

[les]

Replace it with a straight nipple and get to it in the conventional way !!

[philthehill]

Les
The problem arising in changing the nipple to a straight item is that the OP has to get a spanner on the grease nipple to undo anyway and there may not be enough clearance between grease nipple and floor to get the existing grease nipple out without loosening off the rack mounts. If the OP can just turn the grease nipple a little to give better access to the grease nipple as is so much the better. There may be adequate access for the grease gun end as there is but every little helps.
Phil

[les]

I take on board all your points Phil but that nipple position would annoy me !!

[philthehill]

Les
It would annoy me as well but we are were we are.
Phil

[alloriginal1owner]

Hi all,

after fixing a leak I have to fill oil to the steering rack, so I think. But you are talking about grease and that nipple on my car was full of grease all around. So I don't know, if I should use grease or oil.

If oil: The workshop manual says I should use gearbox oil EP90. I've got some Castrol Classic EP90 GL4 left from my differntial. I believe that should fit.

The manual is not very clear about the amount. How much is ten strokes? Is that meant for an empty system?

What can I use as a lubrication gun? Will a plastic syringe do the job?

Thanks for help!

Frank

[ManyMinors]

The original type lubrication gun supplied with the car, is shown in your picture. They are often missing from the toolkit but are readily available. As you say, it is very difficult to know how much oil has actually reached the inside of the rack - or how much was in there to begin with. I tend to lubricate my rack every couple of years or so but if it has no leaks, it shouldn't really be necessary.
A syringe won't do the job. You need to get a proper gun to connect with the nipple and the gear oil you have will be fine.

[oliver90owner]

Oil nipples generally have a different shape/profile than grease nipples, btw.

[philthehill]

Further to above - a grease gun is not suitable for use with a oil nipple and a oil gun is not suitable for use with a grease nipple.
You have to utilise the correct gun for the nipple fitted.

[Nickol]

The suppliers of new steering racks - it was for me anyway - neither have grease nipples nor blanking plugs installed. and supposedly are sealed for life. Mine came with "Made in Argentina" on the packaging.
It works quite satisfactory now but at first was very stiff to operate. I ended up removing the gaitors and found red grease inside. So I packed in more and replaced the gaitors. Not an easy task.

[paul 300358]

I normally give mine a couple of pumps with an oil gun every year. I have always thought that if I over fill it, oil will leak out of the gaiter which is only sealed with tie wraps.