C2 steering box lubricant

[Garry E.]

My '64 has a steering box that has developed a slow, steady leak.... I'm going to have it rebuilt, but for the moment I need to refill the lubricant. What type of lube should be used....?

Thanks

Garry

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

Garry-----

GM #12377985.

[Garry E.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

Is this a heavy-weight oil.....?

[John H.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

It's chassis grease - same stuff you use on the grease fittings.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

If you're going to have it rebuilt, just use any EP chassis grease.

Someone may have put gear oil in it, which is more prone to leaking.

For the rebuild I recommend a full synthetic EP chassis grease. The steering gear absorbs a lot of radiant head from the exhaust system and a full synthetic grease should have better long term oxidation stability.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

Garry-----

As John describes, it's a chassis grease. Some folks, including some GM part countermen, think that Corvettes used the same lubricant that is used for most other manual steering boxes. That is a heavy-weight oil type lubricant. However, Corvettes are an exception. ALL 1963-82 Corvettes used a grease the viscosity of chassis lube. Originally, this was GM #1052084. That product was discontinued about 10 years ago and replaced by the product I mentioned.

[Chas Henderson #28127]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

How much do you use?

Chasman

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 steering box lubricant

Chasman----

It takes about one 14 oz tube for a complete fill.