valk Posted June 24, 2019 Share Posted June 24, 2019 Boys, What type of fluid should I put in my steering box to top it off? The manual is rather mysterious on this point, citing "a special all-season steering gear lubricant". My box leaks a little so I need to keep it filled. Apart from some minor leaks here and there, I'm pleased to report the 'ole girl is running great at the moment, largely thanks to the good folks on this forum....probably shouldn't have said anything as now something will break.. Thanks, Peter '41 Roadmaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 "Steering gear lubricant" is usually a semi-fluid grease, NLGI 0 or 00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Valk, I have used CRC's engine assembly lube (grade0-1/2) in both my '40 Buick and my '31 Imperial with great success. Not really oil and not really grease, but somewhere in between. Available at Autozone or NAPA. A lithium base, with moly graphite added. Please do not use standard chassis grease as it will not "flow". Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Don't call it "steering fluid" that's the stuff they use in cars with power steering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Ok, how about steering box lubricant? In any event, no clear answer yet as the manual calls for the box to be "filled', not packed, with something they don't make clear. I popped the fill cap and seems to be something more "liquid" then a grease-like substance. This should not be a mystery. I'll see if I can't find more specific info on the subject and report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 00 grease at Tractor Supply seems like the grease du jour: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/steering-gear-lube-pourable-00-grease-600w-oil.1025876/ Of course, if you want to spend more.... Corvette supplier's have it too! https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/champion-00-manual-steering-box-grease.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 35 minutes ago, valk said: This should not be a mystery. I'll see if I can't find more specific info on the subject and report back. In the Pontiac world, it isn't a mystery. The old shop manuals describe it's properties. It wasn't and isn't one of the standard greases or oils of the day. Have a look at this: https://web.archive.org/web/20160914010532/http://www.earlytimeschapter.org/steeringgearserv.html As others have mentioned, NGLI 00 or 0 is about where you want to be. Thick gear oil will run out, and grease will scrape off and not flow back properly. The answer is in-between. I like Penrite Steering Box lube. I understand John Deere Corn Head Grease is also popular. https://www.restorationstuff.com/ecommerce/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=111_112&products_id=710&zenid=urvd1di4r5u79st714d4l79do3 Edited June 28, 2019 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Thanks very much Gentlemen. It appears all of you a right. I really didn't appreciate the issue until reading your posts and links. I'll try one of your recommendations of NLGI 0 or 00. Thanks for your responses. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Before you try to put some in the steering box, leave the bottle in the sun for a while or even heat it up in a pot of hot water. It will pour more easily if warm, although that is a relative term because it doesn't really pour easily at all. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvelde Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 Here is photo of what I use. Comes from Restoration Supply in Escondido, CA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Great, perfect, thanks. Only concern is "Just pourable at normal ambient Australian temperatures" whatever that is! May have to heat it up like Spinneyhill suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvelde Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 It is thick, I used a thin wooden strip to “spoon” it in. Took some time, but I have no more leaks from using thinner material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 28, 2019 Share Posted June 28, 2019 It is not easy to put in. When I do it I can't help thinking about this: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pitch-drop-experiment 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 28, 2019 Author Share Posted June 28, 2019 Ha! What a riot. At 65 I don't have a lot of time to waste on filling a gear box. Then again, I'm retired and have time to watch grass grow....and regrettably for you guys, think of things to ask on this forum. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 29, 2019 Author Share Posted June 29, 2019 ...just came across a '41 service bulletin that instructs turning the steering wheel all the way to the left otherwise the "ball nut" lines up directly beneath the fill hole "which may cause lubricant to back up before housing is full". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Harwood Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 I should probably do this, too. How do you drain the old stuff out? Is there a drain plug? Does it even matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 I don't think you do. I don't recall ever seeing a drain plug on one. Yeah, I guess it would be better not to mix, not knowing what was in there. On the other hand, if there is any lubricant in there AT ALL you have already won the war. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted June 29, 2019 Author Share Posted June 29, 2019 I studied the schematic and unfortunately there ain't no drain plug. Can't take off the bottom cover because the frame is in the way. I see no way other than to disconnect the column and take the box out- a huge job in my book. I'm just going to add lubricant and let her rip. My box is leaking from the "worm support bearing adjusting screw" at the very bottom with very little clearance, if any. The fluid smelled like gear oil and looked a bit thin so maybe going with a thicker lubricant will help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Put it outside and do it when the temperature is high! I believe they are getting 40+ oC in France: maybe you are seeing high temperatures too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) Yeah, I don't think anybody tries to drain these. Usually you just find them empty. Edited June 29, 2019 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I have a turkey baster(sp?) which Ive used for fluid removal and a larger metal device for heavy duty use that looks like a gease gun, that really "sucks" ha ha, but might be usefull using the method in the service bulletin with a clear tube attached to the inlet 2 let you see if its effective at removal. Might B worth trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Engle Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 I use the plastic syringes that are made for giving medication by mouth to cows and horses. I get them at Tractor Supply. I have switched to using cornhead grease in all my steering gears. They have about 3 inches of flexible tapered tube that can get down into the worm gear. Is there a screw on the endplate that can be removed for draining?? Bob Engle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenneth Carr Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Champion 00 is what I use after reading an extensive discussion on this site. It has a nice spout so you can pour it easily. Such mixtures have been called knuckle grease.. Amazon has it: https://amazon.com/gp/product/B0018U0A4C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 If I find the link to that 2018 discussion I will post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valk Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 Thanks Roadmaster71, I would be interested in reading it. I would think any reputable brand NLGI 00 will work well given the car's moderate use. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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