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Steering Box Fluid/grease


wobpb377

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So my steering box is leaking at the seal by the steering column connection. My mechanic said to just fill it with black CV grease. Has anyone heard about this or done it?

FYI my mechanic is a older German gentleman who has been working on these cars since new.

1974tii #2780713

1987 325ic

2010 Audi A3 TDI

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I sent my gear box to a local ZF refurbishment center and it came back with new seals, looking like a million bucks and filled with grease.

Had it redone at another ZF place and they filled with hypoid goodness.

So, either grease or oil is what I would say.

"90% of your carb problems are in the ignition, Mike."

1972 2000tii Touring #3422489

1972 2002tii with A4 system #2761680

FAQ member #5

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Not specific to this case but it might help. Started as an apprentice with Land Rover in the late 80's when they used gear oil in the front axle swivel housings which on Series Land Rovers contained a standard universal joint but Defenders etc had CV joints. Always had problems with them holding this oil which also lubricated the swivel pins. Solution was that they replaced it with a graphite based grease that was squirted in after reassembly for the life of the CV joint.

Basically ZF may now specify grease but check with them. Land Rover sell the swivel grease in a plastic sachet. They may have similar.

Sorry, long story!

rtheriaque wrote:

Carbs: They're necessary and barely controlled fuel leaks that sometimes match the air passing through them.

My build blog:http://www.bmw2002faq.com/blog/163-simeons-blog/

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I find this a very interesting topic, so I'll flame it up a bit by asking some "reasonable" questions to get things started.

My intent here is to promote some reasonable discussion of why this might be a good idea, which is to say, a lubrication alternative .... you know, a fantasy land concept that does have some measure of truth to it.

First, what sort of grease would be suitable ?? I'm thinking like the wheel bearing grease used for front wheel bearings. But this stuff is rather thick,

so what sort of grease has a lower viscosity that would do a proper job, and get dispersed into all the nooks and crannies inside the steering box.

Second, would one have to first drain out the hypoid gear oil ?? Or would one just jam grease into the top-of-the-steering-box fill hole until one can't get any more grease in ??

Third, on those freezing cold mornings in some parts of the USA, would the grease ever warm up enough to provide suitable lubrication/protection of all the sliding & rolling thingies inside the steering box ?? Or would the steering box be frozen solid ??

Cheers,

Carl

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First, what sort of grease would be suitable ? = high shear protection, excellent flow qualitys at low temps, non reacting with yellow metals

Second, would one have to first drain out the hypoid gear oil ? = there is no 'drain' on the steering gear box

you would need to remove the box and clean out all old lubricant before

adding a different lub

Third, on those freezing cold mornings in some parts of the USA, would the grease ever warm up enough to provide suitable lubrication/protection of all the sliding & rolling thingies inside the steering box ?? Or would the steering box be frozen solid ?? = yes it would be frozen and you would not be able to turn the wheel easily - no it would not warm up - it's on the cold side of the motor

use SAE 90 Hypoid GL4 gear lubricant

'86 R65 650cc #6128390 22,000m
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'11 FORD Transit #T058971 28,000m "Truckette"
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Well i opted to run the CV Grease. I dont have to worry about a freezing morning unless something really really really bad happens--but if that happens we are in a world of hurt.

I was able to drain the box since its out of my car. I then filled it up with the grease. It was tedious but I got the job done.

1974tii #2780713

1987 325ic

2010 Audi A3 TDI

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  • 4 months later...

I am opting gl-4 per uncle CD.

This is the best that I can find. it is 38lbs worth. I cannot find it in a smaller quantity...Anyone else find it smaller?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006CCW8L4/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1352040394&sr=8-11

FOR SALE-----74 2002tii 2782194 Turkis, Megasquirt, Korman road sport springs, Bilstein HD shocks, 13" FPS Bottle Caps

 

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