Manual Steering Box Leak - Grease? (1 Viewer)

[GRM]

After 54 years the manual steering box in my ‘40 sprung a leak and puked the original fluid all over the floor.

I have a power steering box to swap in, but that isn’t a project for today. My goal is to enjoy the ‘40 this summer with this box. I called around and found that other than a national sector shaft seal, the parts are not available. My experience says once one seal goes, the rest are soon to follow, so I don’t expect this to hold fluid anymore.

On old Chevy’s I would rebuild manual boxes with grease. Since I expect this box to leak again, is there a recommendation of a grease to use? Is grease ok in a manual 40-series box? Maybe a CV axle joint grease?

 

[charliemeyer007]

I like Mystic JT6 - you can hardly wash it off your hands with gasoline.

 

[duncanrm]

The steering box in my HJ47 has been filled with grease for the past 12 years.

 

[65swb45]

After 54 years the manual steering box in my ‘40 sprung a leak and puked the original fluid all over the floor.

I have a power steering box to swap in, but that isn’t a project for today. My goal is to enjoy the ‘40 this summer with this box. I called around and found that other than a national sector shaft seal, the parts are not available. My experience says once one seal goes, the rest are soon to follow, so I don’t expect this to hold fluid anymore.

On old Chevy’s I would rebuild manual boxes with grease. Since I expect this box to leak again, is there a recommendation of a grease to use? Is grease ok in a manual 40-series box? Maybe a CV axle joint grease?

View attachment 3916085

I still rebuild those boxes Garrett. I don't sell any of the parts, but I still have everything, including NOS sector rollers and bronze bushings for the side covers (where they often wear)

My RX: change the seal and refill with gear oil, wait and see how long it takes until it leaks again. To me, grease in the steering box is a duct-tape-level bandaid, trail-level fix.

 

[GRM]

I still rebuild those boxes Garrett. I don't sell any of the parts, but I still have everything, including NOS sector rollers and bronze bushings for the side covers (where they often wear)

My RX: change the seal and refill with gear oil, wait and see how long it takes until it leaks again. To me, grease in the steering box is a duct-tape-level bandaid, trail-level fix.

Solid advice. What gear oil do you recommend? Basic 90w?

 

[65swb45]

Yes. And FTR, I would like to buy your box when you do the PS conversion. My son lives in Santa Clara, so it shouldn’t require shipping.