Steering box lube?
05-19-2008, 06:49 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Steering box lube?
I used 85-140W durablend gearlube in mine, but don't really know what is supposed to go in there....do you?
05-19-2008, 08:07 PM
#3
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Washington Michigan
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If you have the Chassis Service Manual, the "Lubrication" section calls for chassis grease. 
05-20-2008, 10:18 AM
#4
Race Director
Info that I have in my files indicates that 1963-82 Corvettes used a grease the viscosity of chassis lube. Originally GM #1052084. This product was discontinued and replaced by GM #12377985. Comes in a 14 oz tube. One tube is more than enough. Cost approx $8/tube from GM parts counter.
I used this grease in my 1967 steering box a year or so ago with very good results. Purchased a special steering box grease fitting from PARAGON to get the lube in the box. It worked well.
Larry
I used this grease in my 1967 steering box a year or so ago with very good results. Purchased a special steering box grease fitting from PARAGON to get the lube in the box. It worked well.
Larry
05-20-2008, 11:06 AM
#5
Team Owner
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Here's the fitting for filling the steering gear.
05-20-2008, 06:18 PM
#6
Race Director
That's it: Paragon #8581. Price $18. Thanks John for posting the picture. One day I'll learn how to do those things. 
When I added the lube, I jacked up the fromt end of the car so that I could easily turn the wheels from lock-to-lock. As I added the lube, I occassionally turned the wheels from right to left to distribute the lube in the steering box and remove air. Since you must remove two of the three steering box top cover bolts (one to fill and one to vent), I didn't want to have a lot of force/torque on the one remaining cover bolt, since it holds the steering gear preload.
Not a good as pulling the box and rebuilding it, but it did make a big improvement in steering feel.
Larry
When I added the lube, I jacked up the fromt end of the car so that I could easily turn the wheels from lock-to-lock. As I added the lube, I occassionally turned the wheels from right to left to distribute the lube in the steering box and remove air. Since you must remove two of the three steering box top cover bolts (one to fill and one to vent), I didn't want to have a lot of force/torque on the one remaining cover bolt, since it holds the steering gear preload.
Not a good as pulling the box and rebuilding it, but it did make a big improvement in steering feel.
Larry
05-20-2008, 08:12 PM
#7
Tech Contributor
I would be careful on overgreasing the box. They are not vented and too much grease will blow out a seal.
05-20-2008, 10:08 PM
#8
Pro
Thread Starter
OK, well I guess I'll be trying to change that in the near future....when I took it apart it had more of a viscous fluid in it than a grease based lube....everything was worn smoothly, but not worn out....so I put in the gear lube....I haven't had any leaks, but I put things back together with a smear of RTV on the gaskets too.
Thanks for the info guys....
Thanks for the info guys....
05-20-2008, 11:46 PM
#9
OK, well I guess I'll be trying to change that in the near future....when I took it apart it had more of a viscous fluid in it than a grease based lube....everything was worn smoothly, but not worn out....so I put in the gear lube....I haven't had any leaks, but I put things back together with a smear of RTV on the gaskets too.
Thanks for the info guys....
Thanks for the info guys....
