63 steer box lube?

[ian #32567]

what kind of lube should be used in my 63 manual steer box?service manual does not specify

[Don Hooper (50543)]

Re: 63 steer box lube?

I have always used a 80w gear lube. Don H.

[Duke W.]

1052084 14.5 oz. tube

Chevrolet recommends a special lubricant for the Corvette manual recirculating ball steering gear. On source for the part number is my fifth edition Chevrolet Power Manual - 1052084, 14.5 oz. This product has a grease-like consistency. It is not a liquid like gear oil. This part number may have changed and Joe Lucia posted the current number (if it is, indeed, different) in a recent post. Recommend you check the archives.

Duke

[Gary Schisler]

Re: 63 steer box lube?

The problem with using something other than a solid-type gearbox lube is that the steering mechanism gets hot enough from its proximity to your exhaust that any type of differential lube will tend to run out when it gets warm. GM does have their own lube, for which Uncle Joe and others can supply you with a part number. However, I have been very happy with standard grease gun style grease for over nine years with no harmful effects. I use the Mobil synthetic grease and one tube is plenty for your steering box as well as the grease fittings on the front suspension of the car. BTW, the GM lube numbers are in the Archives.

[KA SEIWELL]

On Target Once Again

Yes, the gentlemen who recommended the heavier, grease like lube for the gear box are absolutely correct. I tried a standard gear lube that a maintenance manual recommended and to this day I have a leaky steering gear box-the lube oil gets all over the splash pan underneath. It's a real mess. Next time I will try the standard grease option/14.5 oz lube as suggested.

[Gary Bishop]

Re: 63 steer box lube?

If you want to use a grease I recommend Constant Velocity Joint Lubricant.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1052084 14.5 oz. tube

GM #1052084 is discontinued. It is replaced by GM #12377985. This the current correct lubricant for a Corvette steering box.

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 1052084 14.5 oz. tube

Joe MUST be getting tired of posting these numbers. I think 50% of the Corvette owners are rebuilding their steering boxes this year

[Tom B.]

Re: 1052084 14.5 oz. tube

Well, I for one appreciate the refresher. I used GM #1052182 8 months ago and I'm still cleaning up the mess. TBarr #24014

[Jerry Clark]

Re: 1052084 14.5 oz. tube

Tom:

It was not my intention to indicate that the information was not wanted or worthwhile only to point out how many folks are looking at their steering boxes recently.

jerry

[Tom B.]

Re: 1052084 14.5 oz. tube

Jerry,

Sorry for any confusion, something got lost in the translation, since it was not my intention to appear critical. TBarr #24014

[John H.]

2084 14.5 oz. Tube Sources

My '57 steering box probably needs a rebuild, as it also leaks from the lower part of the cover. The 2084 14.5 oz. plastic tubes (NOS) are still available from 1) Vette Products in Clarkston, Michigan and 2) From Danchuk in California. Chassis grease is probably just as good.

John

[Duke W.]

Re: 2084 14.5 oz. Tube Sources

Hey John, old buddy - I'm no expert on solid axle cars but I think your suspension and steering is basically a 1953 vintage passenger car design, and I don't even know if you have a recirculating ball steering gear, so the obsolete 1052084 and current 12377985 grease may not even apply to a C1. I guess we've spent so much time yaking about that "other car" I forgot to ask you the year of your Corvette. Now I know!

Duke