manual steering gear lube.
04-24-2014, 05:33 PM
#1
Heel & Toe
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manual steering gear lube.
Can someone tell me how to check the lube in a 1966 manual box? The box works fine I don't want to rebuild it but there seems to be some confusion on what kind of lube to use and how to check the level.
04-24-2014, 05:48 PM
#2
Drifting
Steering gear lube
Originally, the boxes were filled with some type of gear oil, but they all developed leaks. GM's fix was to install chassis grease. As you pump in the grease, you may get some oil coming out--keep pumping until the grease comes out of the hole. Watch out--it could get messy !!!
RON
Last edited by rongold; 04-24-2014 at 05:57 PM.
Pilot Dan
04-24-2014, 06:51 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
As Dan said, you can make a tool by drilling out a bolt or buy one like in the link below. The tool works well and keeps the mess to a minimum.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...greasing-tool/
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...greasing-tool/
Last edited by Mike67nv; 04-24-2014 at 08:45 PM.
04-24-2014, 08:48 PM
#5
Heel & Toe
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Clean off the top cover of the gearbox. There are 3 bolts holding it on. One is marked check and another is marked fill. Remove those 2 bolts. Take the coupler off of your grease gun, and put the hose in the hole marked fill, and pump away until the grease comes out of the hole marked check. You may have to do this more than once, as the grease distributes itself in the gearbox as you drive.
Originally, the boxes were filled with some type of gear oil, but they all developed leaks. GM's fix was to install chassis grease. As you pump in the grease, you may get some oil coming out--keep pumping until the grease comes out of the hole. Watch out--it could get messy !!!
Originally, the boxes were filled with some type of gear oil, but they all developed leaks. GM's fix was to install chassis grease. As you pump in the grease, you may get some oil coming out--keep pumping until the grease comes out of the hole. Watch out--it could get messy !!!
RON
04-24-2014, 09:00 PM
#6
Team Owner
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02-14-2017, 04:45 PM
#7
Can someone tell me why I can't just put the steering box lube in from the top ? There is what looks to be a 4-sided bolt with what I assume is a fill hole. Can't I put the grease in there? I can't find any marking of LUBE or CHECK or FILL on the side cover of my steering box as the picture up above shows.
02-15-2017, 08:43 AM
#9
Melting Slicks
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C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
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The C-1 boxes were different from C-2s.
The "4 sided bolt" is actually the fill hole when oil was used- probably a NPT plug.
I'd remove that and pump grease in through the lower front side plate bolt hole until it comes out the top.
The "4 sided bolt" is actually the fill hole when oil was used- probably a NPT plug.
I'd remove that and pump grease in through the lower front side plate bolt hole until it comes out the top.
02-15-2017, 09:16 AM
#10
Team Owner
Can someone tell me why I can't just put the steering box lube in from the top ? There is what looks to be a 4-sided bolt with what I assume is a fill hole. Can't I put the grease in there? I can't find any marking of LUBE or CHECK or FILL on the side cover of my steering box as the picture up above shows.
You can make a grease gun adapter from a NAPA zerk fitting and adapter for all of $8...as shown...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 02-15-2017 at 09:18 AM.
02-15-2017, 09:35 AM
#11
Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '07
As Dan said, you can make a tool by drilling out a bolt or buy one like in the link below. The tool works well and keeps the mess to a minimum.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...greasing-tool/
http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...greasing-tool/
Bill
02-15-2017, 08:50 PM
#13
Thanks guys - I will open the 4-sided top fill nut and fill from the bottom. I had already ordered the grease and special steering gear fill fitting from Corvette Central and will use that in the lower hole. Then I will start the process outlined in the Service Manual to adjust the steering box (I bought my fish scale already). Wish me luck.
