Re: steering box lube

[Bill Dangora]

Thanks for the response, Joe. My steering box is leaking fluid but I don't know what shape it is in. It is not the original since it does not have the aluminum cover. I should not just add grease to this to drive the fluid out, i should just add the liquid lubricant? thanks, Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: steering box lube

Bill-----

I doubt that you'll be able to drive the old fluid out since it would have no place to go. Although these two luricants may have compatible bases, I wouldn't mix them which will occur to one degree or another if you try to force grease into the steering box at this point. Are you certain, though, that you currently have the 1052182 lubricant in the box? If you are, that's what I would continued to use until the box is removed from the car and dis-assembled for a major or minor rebuild.

[Bill Dangora]

Re: steering box lube

Joe, I'm not sure what's in there but it does leak. thanks for the post. Bill

[chuck dion NCRS#21785]

Re: steering box lube

Here is more info on steering box lubricant. I went to my local chevy dealer to order the GM 12377985 grease that joe had recomended. The counter person put out a search for the grease and to my surprise another dealer close by had the grease. I called and found the parts guy willing to sell me individual tubes. Here is the rub, the parts guy told me that GM 12377985 was superseded by GM 1052497 grease, I bought two tubes and off I went. Do I have the right grease finally? Any comments will be welcome.

[Joe L.]

Re: steering box lube

chuck----

I think that the "parts guy" has got it wrong. The GM #1052497 grease was SUPERCEDED BY the GM #12377985 grease, not the other way around. I think the dealership may have some "NOS" grease around and figures that these greases are "equivalent". For some functions, they are. But, the Corvette steering gear lubrication function I don't believe is one of them.

GM #1052497 was a lithium based chassis lube which was available for MANY years, dating back to, at least, the mid-60s. GM recommended it for all chassis lube applications, including steering linkage, ball joints, u-joints, and Corvette rear spindle bearings( I differ with them on the latter application, though). This lubricant was NOT specified by GM, however, as an approved lubricant for steering boxes.

During approximately the same period as GM #1052497 was available, there was available another grease which GM recommended and specified for use in Corvette steering boxes. This grease was GM #1052084.

Several years ago, both the GM #1052497 chassis grease and the GM #1052084 Corvette steering grease were discontinued and replaced by GM #12377985. This new grease is a MULTI-APPLICATION grease which, apparently, GM engineers consider will satisfactorilly service BOTH the chassis lubricant applications of the GM # 1052497 grease AND the Corvette steering gear lubrication application of the GM #1052084 grease. You could use the 1052497 grease for chassis lube functions, but I would not use it for the steering box application. For that application, the only thing that I would use is the GM #12377985 grease or the old GM #1052084 grease, if you could find some.

But, you could look at your purchase of the 1052497 grease this way: you just purchased some rare "NOS" GM part which someday some Corvette restorer might be willing to pay you a great deal of money for. That way, he could put "New Old Stock" grease in his Corvette tie rod ends and ball joints, the same stuff that they put in at St. Louis.

[Patrick H.]

steering box lube - how many tubes?

Joe,

After all the threads on steering box lube the past two months, I went out and checked the box on Dad's 72, and it was EMPTY! So how many tubes will I need to fill it?

Thanks,

Patrick

[Jerry Clark]

Re: steering box lube - how many tubes?

Hi Patrick:

My rebuilt box had only assebbly grease spread over the components, It only took the better part of one tube.

jer

[chuck dion NCRS#21785]

Re: steering box lube

Joe---

I finally went to the Chevy dealer where I grew up. This should have been my first stop, but I put my trust in the local guy. I now have in hand the proper grease (GM12377985), hopefully I won't be bothering you guys anymore on this subject . Acouple of threads back someone wanted to know how much grease it took, I believe the shop manual states 10 or 11 oz. Thanks for all the help ,this discussion board is a great benefit for all those who love corvettes.

[Patrick H.]

Thanks Jerry

Jerry,

Thanks. Quite a shocker to decide to peek in there and see nothing! Of course, you can bet I'm checking the 71 when it gets out of storage soon! Now maybe they'll both steer a little smoother.

Patrick