54greg

I've been fighting a leak on the side cover seal of my steering box. I cleaned it out good, adjusted it, put on a new gasket and filled it with STP trying to stop the leak. I'm having trouble getting the gasket side cover to seal. Any suggestions? Also what are you using for the fluid?

Thanks

Greg

Pierre

I understand this use to be a common problem. To avoid the problem, on my '56 and '57 I just filled the box with chassis grease. Works fine, no leaks.

Pierre

Frankie the Fink

I can tell you for my leaky '61 steering box I drained all of the old thin fluid out and refilled it with thicker grease (MP grease IIRC). This change was in a service bulletin for C1 cars (and I'm assuming even the '50s cars). See last sentence in the attached service bulletin!

I had to make up a special grease fitting to go in the top of the steering box to pump in the new grease but you can buy a kit from Corvette Central to do the same thing: http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050e~Z5 Z5Z5AAOZJ~P24.95~~~~S2SM0VCEF42423312172 1h~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000050x

Duntov 54

Greg,

When it comes to sealing any kind of gear oil I use a silicone RTV from Mopar, part # 05013477AA . Its the best stuff out there. I have used it on sealing rear end housings, steering box to axle bearings. I have had many friends who have had leaks in the past few years and I give them a tube to try out and everyone of them couldn't thank me enough, it has never failed me. A little on the pricey side, around $18.00 for a tube but well worth it. I used STP in my steering box, STP still has a high content of zinc, which is good for the gears. I am not to far from you, if you want come by and borrow the silicone tube I have.

Karpo

54greg

Thank you to all

I really appreciate the comments.

Karpo, I'll stop buy the Dodge store and get a tube of the silicone. If you have had such great experience it sounds like something I could really use.

Thanks again, and have a great nite.

Greg

Duntov 54

Greg,

Just a bit of advice with the Mopar silicone. Wear gloves when using, that stuff sticks like crazy. Just to give you an example of how good it is, my friend calls me from the NHRA museum and says, I remember you saying you had some special silicone that seals good. So I go over and they are working on the Howard Cams Rattler dragster. They are having third member leak issues. The housing is chrome, I told them to wipe it down with lacquer thinner and put the Mopar silicone on it. Hasn't leaked since.

Karpo

JohnZ

Chassis grease.

54greg

Karpo, Thanks for the "notice" on the gloves. I would not have used any

As always, thanks John Z



Greg