I posted this on the C2 forum but it also applies to C3 boxes.

Steering Box greasing - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

 

Just food for thought:

Actually, "grease" as is that which is commonly considered, is intended more for rubbing surface engagements and is a poor choice for most of these more modern (that as compared to something of several decades earlier) steering boxes as these example steering gear apparatuses contain roller ball bearings which are intended to "roll" not "slide", and grease tends to interfere with this function. Yes, GM, after realizing that there were multiple engineering deficiencies which resulted in unacceptable results with the use of a "gear-lube", as originally engineered intended, looked to the best, most cost effective solution, and someone said: "Simple, we'll just pack it full of "grease"!

One rather popular substitute in these instances currently is to use: John Deere "Corn Head Gearbox Grease" as this is a thixotropic type material which is for use where fluidity would be appreciated, but also an ability to re-solidify in order to reduce leakage and to hold the lubricant on the wear surfaces of concern is sought.

In another but similar example of the O.E.M.'s adopting the incorrect lubricant as a "simple" solution to solve other issues, would be in the application of "wheel bearing grease", say.......... for the front wheel hubs which mount to the spindles generally utilizing tapered-roller bearing sets. In a conversation I had with Timken's engineering representative on the subject, I was informed that Timken did not have a recommendation of, or even a specification for "grease" to be utilized on their roller-bearings as a "fluid" is the proper medium for use with rolling surface engagements of this nature.

Scott.

 

HI Scott,
Just some notes.

GM used gear oil in C1 boxes and it wicked up the column onto your lap. I recall guys telling me there sometimes would be pans under them on the showroom floor. I was an infant at that time so clearly, I have no direct experience. However, many boxes come to me with all kinds of mixtures of oils, grease, and who knows what and they all leak- doesn't matter if the seals are new or not, it's an unvented box next the exhaust. The wrong type of grease will also leak.

I have heard of the John Deere grease but never used it, from what I have been told it sounds very similar to the poly grease I use. That might be something to check since it seems grease formulations seem to change over time.

Interesting on what the Timken tech told you, I too knew a Timken engineer, who was also a car guy. I don't know if he's still there, probably not since we're going back 15+ years now but maybe. I had a long talk with him one day on rear bearings - preload, endplay, and lubrication. He recommended using Timken red automotive grease, which I doubt they manufacture. I have used that and Lucas red & tacky on rear bearings for years, no issues.

Now if we were talking of precision ball bearings, used in machine tools, say for a mill spindle, huge concern with using the proper oil. Same for Way-Lube on machines. I recall getting a service call for a new CNC mill not returning to the home position. I checked it and set it to move 1.00" from home and return, using a test indicator to mark the home position. With ball screws there is no backlash and there should be not lost motion. I found it was off 003-005" which might as well have been a mile. Since the machine was brand new, I checked with the maintenance guy on what way lube was used, the correct and expensive oil from Bridgeport or an aftermarket one. Well, it was a cheaper aftermarket way lube and it caused the drag. I removed the oil, cleaned it, and installed the correct lube and it came right back to home every time. Another similar story, this time with a South Bend lathe, guy was cheap, too cheap to use spindle oil so he went to NAPA and bought the thinnest oil he could for .50 a quart. He burned up the spindle bearings, which were not ball bearings but bonze bearings. So, yeah lube is critical in many ways.

 

Not very long ago, less than a year ago I believe. I thought, geeez, I've never done anything with my steering box. Never.
So, I did contact Gary. I did completely strip my steering box. Cleaning out all the original factory grease. Yes, grease. I was lucky, not only was my box working just fine before I took it apart. The internals were in extremely good condition.
I cleaned everything, put in some new ***** and a few other bits and seals, bushings, ya know, the standard stuff.
Packed it full with a high pressure grease. Set up the lash on high center as per Gary's recommendations. The manual is far less precise.
As good as it was before, even better now.
And maybe even close to what Gary himself does.
But the point here is. The only way to lube your steering gear box properly is to pull it apart. Clean it out thoroughly and repack with fresh grease.
At that point, might as well be looking at a proper rebuild.
Mine didn't need one. Yet it's better still after going through it.

 

Yes, many individuals over the decades, aware that even though recommended, "grease" really wasn't the appropriate product for use in these (and others) steering boxes, have often made up mixtures of grease being thinned with gear lube as a substitute, attempting to garner the preferred fluidity, particularly as the grease tends to "wax" and is then no longer found to be "in-play", but with a certain resistance to the unappreciated leakage.

Scott.

 

Hi Gary. Please check your PMs.