grease or oil?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Texas
grease or oil?
I recently bought a 75 and the steering gear box is leaking oil like crazy possibly power steering fluid. Is this box supposed to have oil in it or a grease? From what I could gather it is supposed to be grease. If this is the case my leaking could possibly stop if I put grease in instead of oil. Anyone know for sure?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Gear grease only. No oil.
Here is a part of a thread I found.
"In the 1975 shop manual, a special manual steering box lube #1052084 is specified with the caution to not use it on earlier model years and not to use EP chassis lube. It so happens that this part # is discontinued and so is its replacement part #. The GM parts screen now specifies to use an EP chassis lube and "order direct from vendor" but gives no vendor or lube spec.
I used Pennzoil 707L chassis lube for my rebuild as recommended at a Bloomington clinic by an instructor named Harvey Jacobs who, as I recall, has a repair shop around Philadelphia."
There were quite a few guys using Mobil 1 synthetic grease.
Here is a part of a thread I found.
"In the 1975 shop manual, a special manual steering box lube #1052084 is specified with the caution to not use it on earlier model years and not to use EP chassis lube. It so happens that this part # is discontinued and so is its replacement part #. The GM parts screen now specifies to use an EP chassis lube and "order direct from vendor" but gives no vendor or lube spec.
I used Pennzoil 707L chassis lube for my rebuild as recommended at a Bloomington clinic by an instructor named Harvey Jacobs who, as I recall, has a repair shop around Philadelphia."
There were quite a few guys using Mobil 1 synthetic grease.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
supposed to have grease, not oil.
after extended usage, and especially because it's so close to the exhaust manifold and the associated heat after a while the grease can break down and seperate and that may be the "oil" you see leaking out.
it would be best to empty the steering box and refill it with fresh grease.
The original grease was part # 1052084 and it came in a 14.5oz tube but has been discontinued as previusly stated. It was replaced by EP Chassic grease part # 12377985.
The original instructions on the '084 grease tube stated to use the entire contents in the steering gear so you can consider 14.5oz to be the steering gear lubricant capacity.
after extended usage, and especially because it's so close to the exhaust manifold and the associated heat after a while the grease can break down and seperate and that may be the "oil" you see leaking out.
it would be best to empty the steering box and refill it with fresh grease.
The original grease was part # 1052084 and it came in a 14.5oz tube but has been discontinued as previusly stated. It was replaced by EP Chassic grease part # 12377985.
The original instructions on the '084 grease tube stated to use the entire contents in the steering gear so you can consider 14.5oz to be the steering gear lubricant capacity.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I use Mobil 1 grease in all the box rebuilds I do. If the lower seal or input seal is leaking then even grease will leak out. trying to add the grease to the box through the cover bolts is not accurate at all. The best way is to remove the box then the cover. Be aware that you will change what ever is left of the lash setting at that point though.
This post will help you understand more about the box.
Good luck,
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1345411
This post will help you understand more about the box.
Good luck,
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1345411
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Burlington WI
My book on an 81 says not to use EP grease. I was thinking about using outboard lower unit grease but not sure of the heat factor. I think the factory used a heavy gear lube. I want to put LUCAS geer lube
in mine but have not figured out how to get old lube out. You take two
bolts out to fill but can you take the third bolt and take the top cover
out. Jayr
in mine but have not figured out how to get old lube out. You take two
bolts out to fill but can you take the third bolt and take the top cover
out. Jayr
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I've rebuild plenty of 63-82 boxes. The only ones that used oil were the early cars and they all leaked. The C3's used grease. If you try and all oil it may stay for a while depending on how much grease is still in there, but it will leak out. These boxes are not vented the seals are grease seals not high pressure oil seals. Over time they will all leak, being exposed so close to the exhaust heat.The Mobil 1 works best but trying to fill it without knowing the current condition is not going to get you much of anything.
Here is an original late model C3 box with the side nut removed.
Here is how I finish them with the Mobil 1 leaving room for expansion of the grease.
You can see here one of the setting I make but also look at the location of the worm nut and cover holes. with the box centered or on end you're going to hit part of the nut with grease and it will not pack evenly around. The best way to lube the box is to remove it and the cover. But then you're going to get into adjusting the lash so be sure if you do you know what you're doing or you'll create more problems.
Here is an original late model C3 box with the side nut removed.
Here is how I finish them with the Mobil 1 leaving room for expansion of the grease.
You can see here one of the setting I make but also look at the location of the worm nut and cover holes. with the box centered or on end you're going to hit part of the nut with grease and it will not pack evenly around. The best way to lube the box is to remove it and the cover. But then you're going to get into adjusting the lash so be sure if you do you know what you're doing or you'll create more problems.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Burlington WI
Hey GTR, what kind of problems can you get into when adjusting to
lash. Mine has some play in it when steering is centered. I replaced the power steering valve and could feel it in the box when the pitman arm was disconnected for the steering valve. I assumed there
was wear where the gears line up in nutural position. JAY
lash. Mine has some play in it when steering is centered. I replaced the power steering valve and could feel it in the box when the pitman arm was disconnected for the steering valve. I assumed there
was wear where the gears line up in nutural position. JAY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Pampa Texas
thanks
Been away from the computer and did not get a chance to tell you thanks for the help. Gtr1999 do you rebuild other's gear boxes or is that just your own projects. If so I would be interested in some prices. Thanks again. Ryan
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
Hi Guys,
Ryan I'll PM you information, I have blueprinted a lot forum guys boxes the past year or two.Feel free to ask anyone abut them for first hand reference.
Jay, if you adjust the lash you have to be sure the on center adjustment in not over 14 in/lbs or you'll wear out the very expensive gears. I don't set them at 14 unless it's a road race car and they want the tightest feel. Street cars are good at 11-12 in/lbs providing the preload and other adjustments are good. In the picture above you can see I set the lash gap to .0015", most stock boxes and a few "rebuilt" boxes I was sent were in the .007-.010 range. Combine this with the typical kit bushing sideplay and incorrect lash settings and the vette boxes get a bad rep as sloppy junk. Correct these areas and they work great. I was driving my car the other day at 70 mph - one finger, on center and the cars responds to the wheel with no lost motion.
Gary
Ryan I'll PM you information, I have blueprinted a lot forum guys boxes the past year or two.Feel free to ask anyone abut them for first hand reference.
Jay, if you adjust the lash you have to be sure the on center adjustment in not over 14 in/lbs or you'll wear out the very expensive gears. I don't set them at 14 unless it's a road race car and they want the tightest feel. Street cars are good at 11-12 in/lbs providing the preload and other adjustments are good. In the picture above you can see I set the lash gap to .0015", most stock boxes and a few "rebuilt" boxes I was sent were in the .007-.010 range. Combine this with the typical kit bushing sideplay and incorrect lash settings and the vette boxes get a bad rep as sloppy junk. Correct these areas and they work great. I was driving my car the other day at 70 mph - one finger, on center and the cars responds to the wheel with no lost motion.
Gary
Last edited by gtr1999; Sep 24, 2006 at 09:27 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Hi,
Just wanted to post a pic from my current rebuild
to show what happens when Bubba ignores all the
warning signs and then sells the car to you...
It wasnt pretty...
There was nothing left that could lube the gears!
All gone or dried out!
Needless to say, the play that I had - due to the
excessive wear of all the internal components - gave
a new dimension to car driving...
It will take a complete new set of wormgear, sector,
all the bushings, bearings and some fresh grease
to get back on the road again.
/ MrBeam
Just wanted to post a pic from my current rebuild
to show what happens when Bubba ignores all the
warning signs and then sells the car to you...
It wasnt pretty...
There was nothing left that could lube the gears!
All gone or dried out!
Needless to say, the play that I had - due to the
excessive wear of all the internal components - gave
a new dimension to car driving...
It will take a complete new set of wormgear, sector,
all the bushings, bearings and some fresh grease
to get back on the road again.
/ MrBeam
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
I can see the tooth pattern is down low. Be sure to machine new bushings to get it the best it can be. The new gears are goign to set you back some, it might be better to get another box. I may have some 69-82 boxes if you need one. They're already blueprinted and ready to bolt in.
Gary
Gary
