azmusclecar

I did a search and I saw where the steering boxes on C2s are prone to leaking when you use fluid. The post said to use GREASE in the steering box.

Mine is leaking ( I just got the car) and I'd like to know:

How do I get the fluid out

and

What grease to put in and how do I put it in. I'm hoping to save a rebuild. The car only has 23K original miles on it.........

it is manual steering

5thvet

Here's some info for you.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...-box-lube.html

Scott Marzahl

If its an original box the grease that is in there is more than likely dried up. IMHO it should be opened up, cleaned and new grease installed.

azmusclecar

Well if it was all dried up, then why would it be leaking? I know the FLUID will leak but the grease is NOT supposed to.

DansYellow66

If the seal is bad even grease will eventually leak out. Because of it's proximity to the exhaust manifold it gets too hot and the components separate and the oils will leak out. Even without a lot of heat some chassis grease will go through the breakdown anyway and will still leak out. My suspension joints leak an oil after awhile.

azmusclecar

WINNER WINNER...CHICKEN DINNER.....................: rock:
THIS IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR

Like Gomer Pyle used to say:

Thankya thankya thankya........................

Scott Marzahl

My thoughts are that know one knows what is in that box, someone could have added oil to it. 50 year old clay/mineral based grease is typically hardened. I've rebuilt numerous C2 and C3 boxes and all had hard grease. Maybe you'll be lucky.

jpuskas

I was able to loosely get a grease fitting to fit into the top fill hole. I filled my steering box with Mobil1 Synthetic grease. I didn't have any leaks to start with.

azmusclecar

I totally understand.............I'm 62 and my grease gets stiff too........

I have a budget and I was allocating some funds in a different area. For right now the car isn't on the road.......I will look into have it rebuilt...........once I get some other issues taken care of.

dplotkin

I have a box packed full of fresh grease that leaks anyway. I stuff a paper towel under the box when I put her away, remove it before start up, kind of a diaper. Problem solved. Steering box otherwise as tight and responsive as new.

Dan

azmusclecar

Is there a Corvette DEPENDS out there for those with leaky units? There may be a market idea here............

I know it will take a rebuild, I just didn't want to spend the money there............yet.................... ..

Avispa

Not sure what your comfort level is with DIY projects, but opening up and cleaning out all the old grease from one of these boxes is pretty easy. You can even replace the two shaft seals at the same time.

azmusclecar

The only way you learn is to either read, study, watch or do........what is the worst that can happen? I will see if I can find a video on a rebuild...I think it's just the lower shaft seal..........and hopefully it won't take any special one-time tools to do the job. If I can't do it, I can always pay someone else or buy another unit.................thanks.......:thumb s:

5thvet

Here's another post by Gary Ramadei who does rebuilds for a living with some tips.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-box-pics.html

azmusclecar

Thanks for the lead...I was looking for gtr1999 and couldn't find...now I see it's GTR1999................thanks........... ....

5thvet

You won't find him on this forum much anymore but you can email him at Gary.RAMADEI@radiall.com

Don

azmusclecar

Thanks Don...........that saves some frustration...........I appreciate the info........

sub006

Raspberry-colored Mobil 1 is excellent for any chassis lubrication in my experience.

Scott Marzahl

Gary stopped using Mobil 1 in his boxes a few years ago, it separates and leaks very bad. I had the same experience with a c3 box and asked Gary about it, that's when I learned its not ideal for boxes.

DansYellow66

That would explain why my tie rod ends and ball joints leak oil - I've used Mobil 1 for suspension lubrication for years. Guess I'll change.