What grease used in steering box ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
What grease used in steering box ?
I've read it and can't find it 
1980 vette
Looked inside and looked kind of mushy dry
What do I need to do to clean out that gunk and what GM grease goes back in there ? I just can't add without cleaning it right ?
S80
1980 vette
Looked inside and looked kind of mushy dry
What do I need to do to clean out that gunk and what GM grease goes back in there ? I just can't add without cleaning it right ?
S80
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
This is what I did. I went to autozone and bought a tube of Lucas Red grease for my grease gun. I use it on the bearings and ball joints also.
The steering box adjustment nut cover has three 9/16th nuts. You only need to remove two. One towards the fire wall and the lower fender one. I dumped solvent in and filled up the steering box. It will come out the input and output shafts so kind of wrap it with rags. I let it sit over night. Carb cleaner or something similar would work also. I have a air nozzle for my air compressor. I put a rag over the second lower bolt hole and blew everything out. Kind of like blowing your nose and getting all the .... out! Whether it was nessesary or not thats debatable
Anyway you can buy a grease needle that screws onto the grease gun instead of the normal Zerk fitting end. I just pumped away untill I had grease coming out both bolt holes. I replaced the two 9/16th bolts and it's all happy now for another 5-10 years.
The steering box adjustment nut cover has three 9/16th nuts. You only need to remove two. One towards the fire wall and the lower fender one. I dumped solvent in and filled up the steering box. It will come out the input and output shafts so kind of wrap it with rags. I let it sit over night. Carb cleaner or something similar would work also. I have a air nozzle for my air compressor. I put a rag over the second lower bolt hole and blew everything out. Kind of like blowing your nose and getting all the .... out! Whether it was nessesary or not thats debatable
Anyway you can buy a grease needle that screws onto the grease gun instead of the normal Zerk fitting end. I just pumped away untill I had grease coming out both bolt holes. I replaced the two 9/16th bolts and it's all happy now for another 5-10 years.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 465
Likes: 0
ok that's good....
YA mean you refilled the steering box with ball joint Lucas red grease ? 
When letting carb cleaner overnight in the box, is there any plastic pieces or seals in there that would be destroyed by the strong chemical reaction ?
Your answer seems very good but will wait for a responce...
S80
When letting carb cleaner overnight in the box, is there any plastic pieces or seals in there that would be destroyed by the strong chemical reaction ?
Your answer seems very good but will wait for a responce...
S80
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
YA mean you refilled the steering box with ball joint Lucas red grease ?
When letting carb cleaner overnight in the box, is there any plastic pieces or seals in there that would be destroyed by the strong chemical reaction ?
Your answer seems very good but will wait for a responce...
S80
When letting carb cleaner overnight in the box, is there any plastic pieces or seals in there that would be destroyed by the strong chemical reaction ?
Your answer seems very good but will wait for a responce...
S80
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Just buy some good quality synthetic gear grease. I agree with removing the two 'outboard' bolts on the box. But, then I would suggest that you stick something (piece of wire, small dowel, whatever) in the box to see how much grease it has in it and what condition it is in. If the grease looks OK but is low, just add some. If it is caked up, you probably want to put some light oil in it to dissolve the caked up stuff; then blow it out and replace with the synthetic stuff. I'm not too sure about using a solvent in the box. It was made 40 years ago and the seal may not be Vyton [or other synthetic rubber that is resistant to solvents].
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: germantown tn
you put straight 90wt in and when it gets warm it is going to be a leaking mess, it is best to check inside with a piece of wire and see if it is caked up,if it is a little then add a little 90wt then use a grease fitting and fill with grease into the 2 holes. 90wt is too thin and will leak out
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
I read this thread just last week
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-box-lube.html
I then used Mobil 1, mixed in motor oil and used a turkey baster. Seems just fine but won't know for a year or so
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-box-lube.html
I then used Mobil 1, mixed in motor oil and used a turkey baster. Seems just fine but won't know for a year or so
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Jim, I have a question, why is the aluminum selector cover underside where it mates to the cast iron gear box, not a machined surface? Was this for gear box venting? On occasion I have seen lube leaking out from this area, if it were machined flat, the seal would greatly improve in this area but, I take it that GM had a reason for leaving this surface so rough.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Maybe they changed things by 1980, but in 68 the said, "if required, add EP Chassis Lubricant which meets GM Specification GM 6031 M"
Last edited by PRNDL; May 23, 2010 at 03:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I'll say it again. Use synthetic grease. Synthetic does not 'melt' with higher temps. In fact, that's one of the benefits of synthetics; they tolerate high temps better than organic products.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I bought one of those zerk fittings from Paragon. Filled that sucker full of grease, which still kept oozing out of both ends. Finally took it out of the car and removed the top cover to inspect before sending away for rebuild and reseal. Found out I severely over-greased it. Promised my vette mentor that I would throw that fitting away, or donate it to a good cause.
