I have repaired the drip in my steering box (with a teflon seal). Now, I don't know what kind of oil I should be using to refill it. The shop manual doesn't give a specific weight that I can see.

Thanks

mark
'64 Monza Coupe

There is a 00grease that is specified but I have always used Amsoil grease and about 10% STP or the equivalent.

I think GM still offers the original lube if that is the way you want to go.

Ken Hand
Handy Car Care
248 613 8586

Vairmech@aol.com

Tractor Supply 00 grease. Cheap, works well. You can buy the same quart from Eckler's Corvette for 4 times the price!

Frank DuVal

Fredericksburg, VA

I use john deer cornhead grease which is 0 grease.

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-Tom


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I'll second the John Deere cornhead grease. Been using it for years.

Mike Schantel
1965 Corsa 140
Corsa Member
Arizona

Mark:

This is the steering box grease you need to use for your Corvair steering
gearbox. Just go to the Studebaker International website and search catalog
and suspension parts. You will find it there.....

The corned grease is really not the best thing to use. It is designed for low pressure, high velocity lubrication (very thin oil with a lot of thickener). The steering box is the oposite. Best to use a high viscosity low thickener content grease, which the Studebaker grease probably is, but I have never seen a spec sheet.

Several manufacturers make these. I used to carry one from Chevron that was a 320 base oil with a touch of thickener. Sold most to road construction companies, as it is often used for the rock crushers.

This is from the tracto supply 00 grease: Cotton Picker Spindle Grease 00 is a smooth textured, corrosion preventive grease lubricant manufactured with a special low viscosity, low pour point base oil with a lithium thickener, as well as rust and oxidation inhibitors.

Restoration in Bolivia
Richard's Mini Pickup
Richard's Corvair
Richard's Renault Dauphine

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair
Selection of the right transmission oil for the Corvair
How to polish and restore stainless and aluminum trim

I know it wasn't correct but I pumped gear oil in there back in the day thinking something is better than nothing when it was leaking, the steering got a little stiff at 20 below zero.

Jim Brandberg
Isanti, MN
CorvairRepair.com

I have used the Studebaker semi fluid grease (I'm into Studebakers too) as well as the cornhead. Have been happy with both with no issues. Having said that; richard1 knows his oil/lubricants and I would be confident in any of his recommendations as well. Your call. Good luck!

And yes, gear oil and STP were part of the learning curve for me as well back in the day! Fun times had by all!!

Mike Schantel
1965 Corsa 140
Corsa Member
Arizona

I use CV axle joint grease. A CV joint does about the same thing a CV joint does and the grease is thin enough to lube the ball bearings and thick enough not to leak out.

CV joint grease would not be my first choice either. While the Corned base oil is either an ISO 10 or ISO 25, the CV grease is usually ISO 68, Compare that with an 80W-90 gear oil ISO 150 or a little higher) or the better ISO 320. (85W-140 is about 420).

Restoration in Bolivia
Richard's Mini Pickup
Richard's Corvair
Richard's Renault Dauphine

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair
Selection of the right transmission oil for the Corvair
How to polish and restore stainless and aluminum trim

Does anyone know if a 12 oz tube of lube would fill a 66 box? Thanks

Brice

66 Corsa Turbo Convertible

Bozeman, Montana

I use synthetic 85W-140 in mine. I bought some of the Tractor Supply stuff but I was afraid it wasn't an extreme pressure lubricant as Richard confirmed so I haven't used it.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 141 Corvairs and counting...




Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2022 03:06PM by joelsplace.

Steering boxes are extreme pressure? Just how tight are you setting the adjusters?

Frank DuVal

Fredericksburg, VA

That was the wrong term but they seem to wear the gears so I figure they need some good lube.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 141 Corvairs and counting...

Yes they do. And any lube is better than grease that channeled away from the gears which provides none.

Frank DuVal

Fredericksburg, VA

Frank DuVal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes they do. And any lube is better than grease that channeled away from the gears which provides none.


That's why a grease with a thicker oil and just a little thickener is great. The thickener keeps if from dripping out, and the thicker oil lubricates.

Restoration in Bolivia
Richard's Mini Pickup
Richard's Corvair
Richard's Renault Dauphine

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair
Selection of the right transmission oil for the Corvair
How to polish and restore stainless and aluminum trim

That's why I recommend the CV joint lube.

I like the CV joint lube idea. Why didn't I think of that?

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 141 Corvairs and counting...

joelsplace Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I like the CV joint lube idea. Why didn't I think of that?


Probably because our resident Lubrication Engineer stated, . . . .

Quote
richard1
CV joint grease would not be my first choice either. While the Corned base oil is either an ISO 10 or ISO 25, the CV grease is usually ISO 68, Compare that with an 80W-90 gear oil ISO 150 or a little higher) or the better ISO 320. (85W-140 is about 420).

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