I used to get the valves in the shop that were packed so tightly with chassis grease the dust cap would pop off. Probably due to the pneumatic grease guns at the quick lubes.

 

Corvette central tech. states a maximum of three pumps from a grease gun , on a used unit, and then follow manufacturers specs. with new or rebuilt. In my search, it depended on weather the maker or rebuilder had pre-greased the unit. I actually found one that didnt. The ones I rebuilt, i didnt add any grease after the initial re-assembly. hope this helps

 

I am not real sure of the timing but here is some brief history on the zerk fitting and the ball stud boot.

Through most of the C2/C3 production the control valve was manufactured at Saginaw Steering Gear Division with a zerk fitting and a special boot that had a very small slit (called the grease bleed nipple) where it met the stud. When you pumped grease into the zerk, the excess would purge through the slit. This prevented any buildup of pressure inside the control valve.

Late in C3 production (1981-82?) there was a big move toward "greased for life" components on all GM cars. So the zerk was removed and the boot was redesigned to eliminate the purge slit. Obviously, no one was considering 30 year old components requiring more, new, grease.

I believe that all service ball stud boots that are available over the counter do not have a purge slit. Many old control valve housings may still have zerk fittings. So you have a lot of potential today to mix and match housings with zerks and boots without purge slits. If you overfill the control valve with grease, the boot begins to bulge (and could easily rupture) and the pressurized grease could unseat a lip seal inside the control valve causing a power steering fluid leak.

So be very careful to not add too much grease to the ball stud on the control valve.

Jim

 

excellent tech.

 

I drive mine evry day. In 10 years, I have yet to grease that fitting.

 

If you put too much grease in this fitting it will force it's way up the center of the spool valve. Grease where PS fluid should be. When I rebuilt my PS control valve I had grease in this area. Did not cause a problem but if I had pumped a couple of more times it may well have. Have a good summer, Paul. mike...

 

mine was never greased, it leaked and didnt work right, I rebuilt everything in the steering system, cylinder , valve, pump, based on info from this site and parts from these venders, it worked great, very resonsive, no issues, I thought about it and converted to a borgeson, much better, hope this helps

 

I have a 78 and I cannot find that fitting to save me.

 

as stated , later years dont have them

 

How about the type of grease to use? Would Green Grease Synthetic be good?

Does it matter what the previous PO used? Will different grease types cause any issues?

 

any good grease
probly work
no
no
the parts that get grease from that zerk, dont move much, 2-3 squirts. as some have stated, dont over do it

 

...........I just recently bought an 81 t top an it had a leak when I bought it along with a miss an no brakes I fixed everything the return line for power steering had a hole rubbed into it.. a few weekends of cruising around I find its leaking fluid again after washing the ps control valve an watching it I finally seen it weeping under the boot for the ball stud. This is my first encounter with a steering setup like this. I was trying to figure the thing out an thought all I gotta do retighten the metal boot strap which was loose... but then I seen your reply here..thanks so much I didn't know there wasn't supposed to be fluid on that side an if there is its an indicator of blown internal seals I have a seal kit on the way....discovered how much a new valve is....I'll try rebuilding it first lol

 

I have been greasing mine for 26+ years(since I installed Power Steering). No problems.