Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

[Michael A.]

[Michael B.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

IMG_4033.jpg
This is what I have used, seems to be a commonly recommended lubricant for this application , I’ve never had any issues (marketed by John Deere)

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

[Michael A.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Thanks for confirming Joe. Any suggestion of a good alternate? I believe high temp and high pressure capabilities are best. Should it be over 350F or 400F or more?

Cheers,

[Larry E.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

FWIW>Yes it is discontinued but still a lot of them floating around. Just ordered 2 tubes from local Chevy dealer
which he is getting from another dealer. Like all Chevy Dealerships he used the "GM Parts Search" to find the part
needed. Getting 2 tubes for $30.22. Thanks>Larry

[Duke W.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Use a NGLI #2 "disk brake" wheel bearing grease with a drop point of at least 350F. I used to recommend Mobil 1, but there have been too many reports of the oil separating and leaking out the bottom seal. The same grease should be fine for suspension and steering linkage joints.

You can do an online search or any local parts store should have what you need... just read the labels and look for the above data.

A high drop point grease is necessary for the steering gear because of its proximity to the left side exhaust manifold.

Duke

[Dan A.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

I was unlucky enough to add grease to my steering box last year that appears to have separated and is leaking out of the bottom seal. Is there a way to get it out without removing and disassembling it?

[Ralph S.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

..........................

[Michael A.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Thanks Duke. NGLI #2 wheel bearing grease, at least 350F, and not Mobil 1. I’ll extend that to non-synthetic. That gives me something solid to work with.

On a related note, I’ve had similar issues with Mobil 1 used on my rear wheel bearings. For the first 1000 miles following rebuild I had red liquid dripping down the rear dust covers. The drips have now dried up and I’m at 3000 miles now, keeping my ear out for squeaking. I suspect I have a winter project ahead of me to rebuild the trailing arms with new bearings and different grease. Very frustrating.

On the positive side, I’m enjoying the power from my 327/300 built to your 300SHP spec. And the Vredestein tires definitely give me piece of mind. Thanks for your recommendations.

Cheers,

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

..........................

Ralph------


This lubricant, GM #1051052 or its successor GM #1052182, should NEVER be used in a Corvette steering box. It was used in many other GM steering boxes but NEVER Corvette. It does not have the viscosity needed for Corvette steering boxes. The original Corvette steering box lubricant was GM #1052084 which discontinued in May, 1997 and replaced by GM #12377985. The latter was recently discontinued without supercession.


DSCN4336.jpgDSCN4337.jpgDSCN4338.jpg

[John F.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Wasn't there a service bulletin that said to use axle grease, or was that only for C1s?

[Dennis D.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Gary Ramadei used this rebuilding my box.

1- grease box.JPG.jpg

[Michael A.]

Re: Steering Gear Grease Recommendation for C2

Wasn't there a service bulletin that said to use axle grease, or was that only for C1s?

Yes John. I believe it came out in 1966. IIRC the story is that the big block exhaust manifold was so close to the steering box that it was boiling the oil that was the original factory fill. That is when they switched to calling for grease. I believe the change also reduced the amount of leakage that occurred with the oil fill.