1940 Super Steering Box Lube?

[Daves1940Buick56S]

All:

What is the proper lube for the steering box? The shop manual says "grease" but what kind is best? Or is it really 90 weight oil?

Thanks, Dave

[Grant Magrath]

This has come up a couple of times on the forum in the past. Penrite make steering box lube that comes in a grease gun cartridge. We've used BP Semi Fluid Grease with success as well. I've found oil goes straight out the pitman shaft seal.
Cheers
Grant

[Daves1940Buick56S]

The 90 weight oil just dripping out is what I figured would happen. I will look for the ones you mentioned. Thanks Grant!

BTW, what is the "proper" oil to use in the rear end and tranny? I notice the manual spec's 90 Hypoid for the rear. Is the current 75W-90 that I see a suitable sub?

[Grant Magrath]

I believe so Dave. But don't use hypoid in the gearbox.
Cheers
Grant

[FLYER15015]

Dave,
According to my research on the Ford and Chevy forums, many folks recommend "knuckle pudding" for the steering sector box.
It is a mixture of 90 wt gear lube and moly bearing chassis grease, mixed to the consistency of STP at room temp.
I made up a batch about a year ago for my '40 Buick, and it has performed quite well.
Still have a peanut butter jar of the stuff, and I used a paint mixing blade in an electric drill to do the mixing.
Just my $ .02
Mike in Colorado

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Thanks Mike!

[sivad39]

All:

What is the proper lube for the steering box? The shop manual says "grease" but what kind is best? Or is it really 90 weight oil?

Thanks, Dave

Dave,
I encountered the same problem when I filled my 1939 steering box with 90 weight oil recently--it began leaking out. I did some e-mailing around and found that the proper lubricant is more like grease. One product, recommended by a GM mechanic friend, is called Lubriplate 105 that is sold by NAPA. He said it is used in assembling engines and has the consistency of hand lotion. Another source (the Buick Advisor of the Buick Club for 39s), said that he got a product from a local Buick dealer 10 years ago. I was unable to get it from a local Buick dealer, so I'm going to try the Lubriplate product. By the way, the Lubriplate comes in 8-10 tubes and filling the steering box may require more than one tube.

[Grant Magrath]

This is what you need.STEERING BOX LUBRICANT - Penrite Oil
Not expensive either. I can get some for you from a supplier here in Christchurch and send it to you if necessary.
Cheers
Grant

[sivad39]

Dave,
Just so you know, I haven't tried this product (Lubriplate 105) yet, because I have to figure out how to get the 90 weight oil out of the steering box first.

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Thanks to all!! I ordered the Penrite stuff from Restoration in Escondido, should be here this week. Now I have another issue that I will warrant a new thread.

Dave

[Mark Shaw]

Sivad39,
Just wait awhile and it will drain all by itself...

[RonJar]

On a 1938 Century, once the pitman arm is off the pitman shaft, can the old seal be removed and a new one installed with the steering gear in the car? Whatever is in the gear now, looks like grease, just runs out around the pitman shaft.

RonJ

[Grant Magrath]

Short answer is yes, but the seal may be worn because of excessive wear in the pitman shaft bushing. You could be back to square one again without installing new bushings.
Cheers
Grant

[v12lincoln]

Vintage Ford has a 600wt oil that they sell for their steering boxes,trans and diffs for the model Ts and As. do a search for Sacramento Vintage ford and you will find it. Just in case you dont find it anywhere else.

[Daves1940Buick56S]

So the Penrite showed up and I dumped it in. Took almost a whole bottle so the box was bone dry. I thought for sure one of the springs in the drag link was busted so I set to taking it apart. First, I had to use a chisel to scrape of a few decades of garm to even see the metal end of the link. After about 30 minutes of this it was finally reasonably clean. I had bought a set of Sears drag link sockets and they work great, had no problem getting the plug out. Lo and behold, the springs were fine. So while I had the Pitman disconnected I went ahead and did a steering box adjust (all 3 adjustments) and checked the wheel pull and it was exactly 2.5 lbs of force across the center as per spec. I put it all back together and adjusted the drag link as per procedure. Result is I probably reduced the steering slop by about 50%. So I drove it and I am still getting some wander where I am "chasing" the car direction with the steering. Next thing is to get the alignment checked.
Cheers, Dave

[Grant Magrath]

Nice work Dave!
Cheers
Grant

[sivad39]

Thanks to all!! I ordered the Penrite stuff from Restoration in Escondido, should be here this week. Now I have another issue that I will warrant a new thread.

Dave

Dave,
Can you give me a number for Restoration in Escondido?

Ken (sivad39)

[Daves1940Buick56S]

Ken:

Restoration Supply Company

and their number is 800.306.7008

Cheers, Dave

[gmorse]

Good morning. I also have had the leaking steering gear oil problem. Not from the shaft seal, but actually from the plate that is on the bottom of the box. 90 weight gear oil goes thru in a few days. I also am trying Penrite steering box lube. I think it said that is equal to a 1200 weight oil. Having no easy way to drain all the previous lube, I am just adding a little more Penrite every few days as needed. We will see how it works.
Gary

[Grant Magrath]

Might be time to change out that gasket Gary!
Cheers
Grant