How to loosen up a Steering Wheel box in a 1925 236 Packard 8???

[34LaSalleClubSedan]

WoW, I had such good luck with comments on the mold and mildew issue with a couple other cars, perhaps some of you guys might have a solution for the steering on the 25 Packard. I believe the problem is in the steering sector rather than the king pins, drag link, or tie rod ends. I can hardly turn the wheel on this survivor car with under 45,000 miles on it. I need to get this car to a fund raiser event on Sept 25th-26th. I know I will have to remove the steering column after this event and do it right after the event.

I believe over the years the old oil and grease has gotten hard. A few years ago I did put some STP in the steering box and that did help. Right now I just have to free it up so I can drive it to the event. Unlike the later Packard steering boxes, this model did not have a large fill cap to add oil or grease. Just a zerk fitting for a grease gun.

Could I put some type of solvent to help loosen up the old grease? What to use or not to use? What type of oil or grease to put in? I guess I'm  just looking for a mechanic in the can fix to get by until this event is over. Thanks again for all your thoughts and advise. Jim

[Friartuck]

Jim, I recall leather washers/bushing at the top of the steering column that dry up. The stiffness you're experiencing is not in the steering box but the friction between the shaft and the leather. Pop off the horn button cover (press down and twist 45 degrees and release up) and the Alum steering wheel hub to properly get access to the leather washers. If you don't want to remove the steering wheel hub you might get away with using a syringe to inject fluid up between the lip of the Alum hub and the steering wheel outer tube.  It may even be possible to use a spray lubricant to spray up under the lip. Your choice on using neets foot oil or lubricants. Chris in NJ.

[motoringicons]

Do not pack it with grease. Use a good, heavy oil. Penrite makes some great oils specifically for early steering boxes. Restoration Supply Co. sells their products. I If it is packed with old grease see if you can get as much out as possible.

 

Jack the car up and disconnect the pitman arm from the steering box. That way you can move all of the steering components freely and identify where the problem is. It will also be easier to adjust the steering box with the front end disconnected. 

Edited August 29, 2015 by motoringicons (see edit history)

[34LaSalleClubSedan]

Thanks to both of you for your replies and thoughts and I believe both of you are correct.  I now recall I did put Penrite in the box a few years ago. Both problems will be addressed, upper and lower after the show over the winter I'll remove the column. I feel the main problem now is above the box near the steering wheel and the leather seals. I hope I can get some oil down there to see if it softens the seals so I can steer it, as well as do some adjusting of the gear box. Thanks again, Jim   ps. Chris, do you have a Packard 6 roadster?

[34LaSalleClubSedan]

Thanks again for the replies. Does anyone know if the bushing at the top and bottom of the steering shalf were made of pot metal? We all know how pot metal can swell up. Thanks, Jim

[Guest AlCapone]

If it only has a grease fitting as

You say in the first post how did you get the STP and oil in ? Wayne

[JFranklin]

My old grease gun will push STP and gearlube because it fills from the top.

[Guest AlCapone]

Unless it is clearly functional in every regard you should trailer the car and not put it on the road. Your safety and the safety of others is of the utmost importance. Don't ever take a chance! Wayne

Edited September 4, 2015 by AlCapone (see edit history)

[DavidMc]

Does anyone know if the bushing at the top and bottom of the steering shalf were made of pot metal? We all know how pot metal can swell up. Thanks, Jim  

 

There is no pot metal in that area, just a steel steering column tube and a steel shaft with a small soft bushing.  I find it a bit hard to believe that the bush could cause that much friction.  I certainly would not drive it until the problem has been clearly understood and fixed.

[Spinneyhill]

the event. Unlike the later Packard steering boxes, this model did not have a large fill cap to add oil or grease. Just a zerk fitting for a grease gun.

 

My later Studebaker has a "grease" nipple on the steering box, but it is not for grease. It is for heavy oil steering box lube. The nipple does not have a ball in it to prevent the contents coming back out under pressure; other wise it looks like an ordinary 45 degree fitting.

[edinmass]

Why would you adjust the box, likely it was fine when parked. Fixing something that is not broken makes no sense. I agree that the problem is probably binding up by the wheel.