Adding lube to steering gear C2

[Wayne M.]

Bought one of those nylon threaded hex fittings with a grease nipple on top (off eBay). Included directions say to remove forward steering box cover bolt, screw in nylon fitting, remove REAR cover bolt; fill until grease starts to exit rear bolt hole.

I'm thinking that by doing this, there would be no air pocket for lube expansion, and I had a bad experience with my '63 twenty years ago, where the garage blew out the plug at the front end of the gear box.

I notice that the '65 owners guide says forward and OUTBOARD bolts (ie. don't touch the rear bolt [nearest the firewall]). The '63 Corvette Shop Manual says forward and INBOARD ?? bolts.

Do we all agree it should be forward (grease in); outboard (air out, until grease seen) ?

[Gary R.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Wayne
Personally I wouldn't use one of those or follow the Gm procedure for adding in one hole and watching at another. I've taken enough of these apart to see where new grease was stopped in it's path or the box was over-greased and leaked out.

I know it's more work but the best way to lube the boxes are to remove them, pull the cover, clean out the old nasty crap in there, add new grease, install the cover and set the lash.

I found the same problem with those rear bearing grease tools.

Here is one that was over greased and leaking, you can see the new grease sat on top of the old mud.



Here is another one where the new grease(red) was pumped in until seen and when I got it apart it wasn't mixed and did nothing but give false peace of mind.





Here is one with the end nut off, you can see that old stuff is caked in tight.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Glad to hear this information. I too have one of the grease fittings, but my first attempt to add grease failed as I was using a new hand pump along with the GM grease and could not get it to pump any in. Probably a good thing it didn't work as I too would have had a false sense of accomplishment and it is obvious that it don't do the job. I believe after the summer months (next cool season), I will do some extensive front suspension and steering work to include a box overhaul. Figure after 45k miles it is probably due. I plan to return my steering ratio to the slow setting in order to improve the effort for me. I'm getting too old to wrestle with that "truck like" quick ratio stuff.

Stu Fox

[Gary R.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Stu
Mileage is important in gauging maintenance but with boxes it is also how the car or box was stored or adjusted that really affect the life.
I've had boxes with under 40k miles that had worn out gears from incorrect adjustment, other original boxes with over 100k miles with good gears to rebuild. The gears are the costly parts in these boxes.
Other boxes had average miles, say in the 40-60k range but were left out for years allowing moisture in and creating an acid bath. The ball screw, bearings, teeth were all pitted and had to be replaced.
The best thing you can do is remove it and take a look when you can. Some may only need adjustment and new grease but most need more.
Good luck if you have any questions let me know.
Gary

[Steve L.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Gary,
I noticed in other threads that you bead blast the gear box casting first then wire brush.

Why do you do it in this order. I would think you would wire brush first to get most of the crude off, then bead blast.

[Gary R.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Steve
The process I use depends on the condition and finish desired. Some boxes that come in are coated with all kinds of paints. Sometimes I have to scrape with razors,wire wheels, etc then blast. Some guys want paint,others want bare iron.
I clean inside and out.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Adding lube to steering gear C2

Gary -- Nice pics; the first two look like brain surgery. Good
recommendations; as summer is so short, gonna use the grease fitting to ensure that there's at least something in there, and maybe next winter do an R&R.