C2 Steering Box

[Pat L.]

My 63 steering box was leaking and I sent it to a well known and respected company that does steering boxes for rebuilding. After the rebuilt steering box was installed, it leaked. The company stated that it would leak for a while. It has been over a year and it still leaks. Is this normal? I've had over 13 corvettes and this is the only one that has ever leaked.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 Steering Box

Pat - I would say the "leak for a while" means until the oils is gone...just kidding. If they did a good job insuring the sealing surface was smooth and didn't damage the seal upon installation, then it shouldn't leak. Also, I wonder what they filled the box with as far as lubricant. I can't remember the suggested oil for this box, but I know Joe Lucia has posted it here in the past....with the GM part number....Craig

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Steering Box

GM used to sell a special "steering gear lubricant" for Corvettes - 1052084. It was a grease in a 14.5 oz. tube, and I recall the instructions were to use the entire tube to fill the cavity when assembling the steering gear. (Joe L. might be able to add to this.) I don't think this product is sold anymore, and the substitute is GM's multipurpose EP chassis grease (12377985), so any high quality chassis grease should do.

Since the steering gear receives a lot of radiant heat from the exhaust manifold I would recommend a full synthetic EP grease. You should ask the vendor what they used. Some appear to be under the misimpression that the steering gear should use 80W-90 gear oil, but this is NOT correct and it will probably leak.

The other question is: Where does it leak? There are only three places assuming the housing is not cracked - the wormshaft seal, pitman shaft seal, or cover. Both seals can be replaced with the steering gear on the car.

Also, read the info in the '63 Corvette Shop Manual maintenance section at the front. It's probably normal for the steering gear to "weep" slightly, especially if it is overfilled. The weepage might cause a thin film buildup, but it should not drip.

Duke

Duke