steering and suspension Steering Box Oil

[c.d.iesel]

EVERYONE PLEASE buy and read a copy of this book

 

white grease in the steering box is bad

 

Which Oil? Choosing the Right Oil and Grease for Your Antique, Vintage, Veteran, Classic or Collector Car

• Richard Michell (author)

• Paperback, 128 pages, 8.0 x 10.0 in.
• Illustrations: 30 color ill
• Item Number: 194243
• EAN (ISBN-13): 978-1845843656
• Publication Date: October 15, 2011
• Publisher: Veloce

 

Edited July 9, 2013 by c.d.iesel

[Joshie1600-2]

The old, problematic sulphur-based (corrosive), EP additives in GL5 are not present in many modern GL5 oils. I'm working to confirm or deny the corrosive potential for the Castrol AP (not EP) oil I have in my differential, half shafts and steering box. I have also been lead to belive that the corrosion problem is generally only a significant at high (>250°F) temperatures so my steering box is less susceptible than my transmission would be to corrosion problems. GL5 is designed specifically for high speed and high-load, low speed hypoid gears. GL4 is for moderate-load hypoid gears. So long as there are no corrosion concerns, other material compatibility concerns or operational problems with GL5 I will use it for the greater wear protection. My iron differential case with no copper-containing components, GL5. My half shafts GL5. My steering box? Maybe I end up removing the Castrol AP, but it appears likely that I won't.

Edited July 9, 2013 by Joshie1600-2

[robspeed]

The rebuilt steering box i bought from 2002ad was filled with a white grease. Any ideas on what that grease is?

 

 

Lithium??  Usually people only resort to packing the box with grease if the seals are blown out and leak actual liquid gear oil.  Its a way to get around pulling the box and replacing the seals.

[robspeed]

 

EVERYONE PLEASE buy and read a copy of this book

 

white grease in the steering box is bad

 

Which Oil? Choosing the Right Oil and Grease for Your Antique, Vintage, Veteran, Classic or Collector Car

• Richard Michell (author)

• Paperback, 128 pages, 8.0 x 10.0 in.
• Illustrations: 30 color ill
• Item Number: 194243
• EAN (ISBN-13): 978-1845843656
• Publication Date: October 15, 2011
• Publisher: Veloce

 

 

 

Sweet, they have this at amazon...

[jimk]

This discussion is going into the pockets and things are becoming all twisted up.  In europe when these cars were built, they didn't adhere to the API GL or engine oil ratings.  The reason the books reference brand names is that if your company was an old name, buddy company in europe, you were taken care of.  In the USA it is called restraint of free trade, and so no names only specs (unless your compny likes lawsuits).

[pd_55]

Resurrecting this old topic. I'm having a next to impossible time finding a good 80w-90 GL4 gear oil. I have a synthetic Valvoline that says it's GL4/GL5. Is this still not recommended for the steering box as it says GL-5? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[Einspritz]

Redline 75-90W hypoid GL-5

[jimk]

Bigger tires, harder to turn the steering, seeing more galled steering sector parts (on this board), the original lube viscosity is insufficient and is all that was conveniently available in the 1970s.   Given the unavailability of parts and after discussing with the head chemist at Amsoil,  I went to a SAE 250 high shock loading lube that drag racers, rock crawlers and such use.  It is equivalent viscosity to a semi fluid grease, NGLI 1 and can be found as a steering sector lube.

Edited June 26, 2022 by jimk

[Buckeye]

 

[Dudeland]

If you do a search this topic came up a while ago.  The rebuilt boxes that I and others received were packed full of grease. IMHO grease is just fine. High pressure, stable viscosity, if you are driving in the winter it may be a bit of a chore getting it to self center, otherwise it makes sense to me.  I would rather have a bit stiffer steering, than have the oil leak out and have nothing.     

[pd_55]

I haven’t heard good or bad about grease, but wouldn’t be against it. My only concerns are not putting something in that will chew up yellow metals or plastics. And if I were to go with a grease, #1 I assume that the remainder of the old oil needs to be drained out. #2 How thorough does the oil removal need to be? Can there be residual on the components or do I need to take the box apart to clean it out?

 

[Cabbage Fumes]

Terrible advice. The oem blue book isn’t obsolete information. 90w was and still is correct for the ZF box. Grease is a terrible idea, for the same reason that had already been discussed. Search.