C2 Steering box
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
C2 Steering box
well, now that I cleaned up the engine compartment and finally have everything back together I now noticed a greasy spot on the frame rail below the steering box. I HAD cleaned there so I'm sure this is new. I ran my hand along the underside of the box and it came out somewhat oily. Not a lot, but enough to glisten my hand.
I figure the steering box needs looking at.
Is this a job that can be done at home and most importantly by an idiot like me, or is this like trailing arms that are best sent out?
also, I've never opened up the steering box myself yet, but is it supposed to be filled with oil or packed with grease? When I bought the car I was told it was suppose be be grease but the previous owner had oil in it so I should have it drained and repacked with grease but than a mechanic I had used at one point told me there WAS grease in it. I haven't seen for myself either way yet.
I figure the steering box needs looking at.
Is this a job that can be done at home and most importantly by an idiot like me, or is this like trailing arms that are best sent out?
also, I've never opened up the steering box myself yet, but is it supposed to be filled with oil or packed with grease? When I bought the car I was told it was suppose be be grease but the previous owner had oil in it so I should have it drained and repacked with grease but than a mechanic I had used at one point told me there WAS grease in it. I haven't seen for myself either way yet.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Barry read Bill Bradley's article in the Restorer, it is a very good article that covers almost everything. Just because your box is seeping some oil it is not necessary to rebuild. The box that Bill and I rebuilt for my car seeps a little as does his. It's just how it is... btw it's supposed to be filled with grease.. Dave..
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
The box should have grease so you will not be able to drain it and locla garages probably don't know how to correctly set them up. The bottom seal does wear out and if exposed to headers or BB even more so. How does it feel driving? do you have slop when going down the road? Is your car PS or manual? If you can take apart your car and you have a dial inch pound TW you can rebuild it. I can walk you through both a typical "market" rebuild or even the way I blueprint them.
Gary
Gary
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Dave, Bill's info is always great! I didn't know he had an article about steering boxes. Do you know which issue of the Restorer it's in?
well, if the seepage is normal than maybe it's something I can put off having to do for a while which would be a nice change.
gtr, thanks, let me find and read bill's article first as it may already have the info and it would save you a lot of typing i'm sure
well, if the seepage is normal than maybe it's something I can put off having to do for a while which would be a nice change.
gtr, thanks, let me find and read bill's article first as it may already have the info and it would save you a lot of typing i'm sure
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,990
From: Connecticut, USA
No problem Barry, I also wrote a paper on rebuilding these. If you would like it email me at gramadei@aep.us and I'll send it. I haven't seen the one you found,is it on a site I can access?
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Gary, i'll email you as I'd still like to have other references. the more info the better!
Bill's article was in the Restorer magazine, vol 32, number 1, Summer 2005 issue.
It was written by both Bill Bradley and Duke Williams (SWCDuke). I haven't finished reading it yet but you can imagine any article written by either one of them ,let alone both of those two gentlemen, is going to be right on the money!
Bill's article was in the Restorer magazine, vol 32, number 1, Summer 2005 issue.
It was written by both Bill Bradley and Duke Williams (SWCDuke). I haven't finished reading it yet but you can imagine any article written by either one of them ,let alone both of those two gentlemen, is going to be right on the money!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
From: Woburn Massachusetts
Originally Posted by youwish2bme
Barry read Bill Bradley's article in the Restorer, it is a very good article that covers almost everything. Just because your box is seeping some oil it is not necessary to rebuild. The box that Bill and I rebuilt for my car seeps a little as does his. It's just how it is... btw it's supposed to be filled with grease.. Dave..
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
Originally Posted by pchalpin
What type of grease?
also, according to Bill he say's:
"The recommended grease is NLGI 2 which is like ball joint grease. As a stop gap, if you can find some NLGI 1 grease which is thinner than #2 you may be able to use a large syringe and a tube to get some grease past the sector gear and fill the box for the interim. Worth a try.
Amzoil makes a NLGI 1 grease in tubes like those for a grease gun if you can find an Amzoil dealer to sell you just one tube."