Alignment Issue

[Gary R.]

Re: Alignment Issue

The red oil is from Mobil 1 grease and the reason I stopped using it several years ago. It will leak past the lower seal, input seal, and adjusting nut threads- even with Permatex high temp thread sealant. Yet another reason I would remove the box and take out that grease. After 3 or 4 boxes weeped red oil that was enough for me to stop using it.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Paul, Gary,
When I rebuilt my 67 box I remember that it would be easy to get it a tooth off if not careful.

Dom

[Gary R.]

Re: Alignment Issue

DomI'm not sure where you had a problem. The pitman arm is only going to fit in 1 of 4 possible positions with only 1 correct position. The engagement of the pitman shaft (sector shaft) to the worm nut is possible to off 1 tooth but the resultant checks would have revealed it during box dial in.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Gary,
Sorry, I didn't have a problem, I was referring to the gear box assembly. When you align the teeth.

Dom

[Gary R.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Hi DomNo problem, I understand what you are saying. For those that might be confused here is the sector and worm mesh. It is possible to be off a tooth but as soon as you start checking true center you will see it is off.

[Gary R.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Here is an old picture of Mobil 1 in a box. It looks ok but in short order the red oil will separate out and weep from the box. I used to use this in ball joints and rear bearings too. I had my 72 up on stands and came back the next day after installing the front suspension and there were red oil spots under every place I used the grease. Once it separates out it will stop but it doesn't look good on a fresh built unit.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Gary,
Thanks that is what I was talking about and your pics were great. One would think that the seal at the bottom would not ever leak. I used gear oil in mine and got the drips. I looked at another seal and said, how? So I machined a bolt with a air fitting and installed it at the fill location. With 120 PSI I thought the lube would gush out? Nope that stopped the dripping. I know you understand why but for those that think I'm nuts, the pressure of the air forced the lip on the seal to seat.
I have to get the gear oil out, but in the mean time I put a O-ring between the pitman arm and seal and that stopped the oil from coming out. I hate to take things off that I installed and will have to eventually deal with it when the o-ring gets worn. My reason for the gear oil was that I thought it would lube the balls in the box better than grease.

Dom

[Gary R.]

Re: Alignment Issue

Dom.... That is what I thought you were speaking about and one could misalign a tooth- I have. As you know these boxes are not vented and even with new seal will leak oil out. One of the boxes which leaked the red oil was still on a bare frame in the hot Texas sun and the oil weeped out, the body was inside a garage. Your best bet is to remove the box again, drain out the oil, use Coastal bearing grease in the black and gold tube, regrease it and dial in the lash again. Then you should be good to go as long as you don't have any side play in the bushings the box will be better then new.