<VV> Steering Box Lube

[Frank DuVal]

Oh, the Corvair and other car forums are alive with the steering box 
lube discussions. Lots of ideas:

00 is one choice, available at Tractor Supply or Eckler's Corvette, 
guess which one is cheaper!

STP mixed with chassis lube/waterproof trailer wheel bearing 
grease/other grease

Wheel bearing grease mixed with gear lube (90 weight or so)

John Deer Cornhead Grease

Snapper 00 grease

Millers Oil and Penrite make a steering gear lube, where to buy it I do 
not know.

Studebaker International sells a steering box lube too.

I can tell you 90 weight or 90-140 will leak out, marking its parking 
spot. Not good for looks, plus you would need to refill at some interval.

Chassis grease will channel and leave un-lubricated internal parts, 
which will rust if water gets through the top seal (and it does often 
after the seal wears), not good!

Frank DuVal


On 11/27/2023 6:16 PM, Bryan Blackwell via VirtualVairs wrote:
> Hi Paul,
>
> I did some reading on grease for another project, and finally sorted out the 'weight' of grease.  Grease thickness is on a different scale, the NLGI grade.  Normal chassis grease is #2.  After some reading, it seems to me a #0 is probably a good choice for a steering box, tho you could certainly consider a step higher or lower.
>
> Here's a description of grease grades:
>
> https://www.thelubricantstore.com/laymans-guide-to-nlgi-grades
>
> And what appear to be a couple reasonable choices:
>
> https://www.evolubesupply.com/delo-grease-ep-nlgi-0-14-oz-396-89-g-tube-235211652/
>
> https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=153291&currency=USD
>
> --Bryan
>
>
>> On Nov 27, 2023, at 2:08 PM, paul via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:
>>
>> I have recently rebuilt the steering box on my 65.  I am now ready to fill the box with a lubricant.  I have called Clark's and they indicated that they use standard lithium chassis grease. This would seem, to me, much too viscous although one or both of us may have misunderstood the question or the answer.  I have checked the VV archive as well as the Technical Guide and they are both silent.  I would appreciate a suggestion as to what to put in the box.  Many thanks
>>