Steering box adjustment and lubrication

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Good evening/morning,

Next thing I want to look at is my steering wheel. There is some clearance or backlash which should be adjustable according the big book.

That should be doable I think, I also read about an oil check I can do. Which kind of oil can I use here in case the level is too low ?

Thanks!

Wilfred

 

[jp928]

Manual steering boxes usually take a 90EP oil. Take care not to over tighten adjustment, and make sure you can get full lock in both directions. There are 3 ball joints each side in the linkage, and any of them worn can produce the appearance of slack.
Added - a loose UJ on the shaft wont help - inside the cabin, check first.

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Great, thanks!

 

[PeterZRH]

If you over tighten them it will damage the box quite quickly. You'll notice the steering wont self-centre. EP90 will nicely remove underseal when it leaks - ask me how I know...

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Hello,

The oil level is indeed too low, I happen to have the one pictured below, would that be appropriate as well ?
The backlash was easy to adjust, respecting the warnings

The steering wheel inside the car is a bit misaligned, I managed to get out the big nut with some air power, however the wheel itself will not listen to me, which is frustrating.

Any tricks for that ??

Cheers,

Wilfred

 

[sdibbers]

First off, good progress with the box adjustment! I always jack up the front when adjusting the box. That way I can feel any tightness in the straight ahead position easily.

As for the steering wheel: The big nut shouldn’t have needed an impact gun to remove, someone has over tightened it if so. Before trying to remove the wheel replace the nut with only a couple of threads engagement. That way if the wheel comes free suddenly you won’t punch yourself in the face with it!

Try wobbling the wheel with your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock position, then at the 12 and 6 o’clock position. Keep at it for a while, if it’s still not moving have a friend with a rubber mallet tap the sides of the steering wheel boss while you try the above method.

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Thanks, I forgot to mention that I lifted the front of the car, so I did.

Tomorrow is another day.

Have a great evening.

Wilfred

 

[MikeMelb]

I believe semi fluid grease is an option, particularly if the box is prone to leaking.
However I am not technical and there may be reasons not to use it.

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Morning,

For now I added gearbox oil, I suppose it’s better than nothing.
I get to know the car better bit by bit, which is fun. After every solution I discover something else, the wiring for example. Some of the connections in the engine compartment just felt apart by touching it, which is not so strange I guess after 51 years.

Cheers
Wilfred

 

[jp928]

Dont use that oil in the car's gearbox! Use a straight 20 oil. Mine had a strange thick yellow-green fluid in it.

 

[sdibbers]

You can get new seals for the steering box. The pitman arm (drop arm) can be a bear to pull, but otherwise it’s a fairly easy job. Once replaced (especially the one on the pitman arm shaft you should be able to keep the oil in the right place.

 

[BrianMac123]

I finally opened mine...empty. Book says 90EP. Spark Plug socket fits exactly.

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Hello,

I used the oil pictured here, what is so wrong with it ?
I can imagine that the two built-in viscosities cause a problem?
Anyway, I will monitor the level from time to time to see if there is any leakage

 

[sdibbers]

Hello,

I used the oil pictured here, what is so wrong with it ?
I can imagine that the two built-in viscosities cause a problem?
Anyway, I will monitor the level from time to time to see if there is any leakage

View attachment 23317

That's exactly what you should be running in the steering box.

 

[j_radcliffe]

Morning,

For now I added gearbox oil, I suppose it’s better than nothing.
I get to know the car better bit by bit, which is fun. After every solution I discover something else, the wiring for example. Some of the connections in the engine compartment just felt apart by touching it, which is not so strange I guess after 51 years.

Cheers
Wilfred

This is what I use in my leaky steering gear box

Fluid Gear Grease

Penrite make a similar product and specifically recommend it:

Steering Box Lube Penrite Semi Fluid - Sports & Classics

Millers have something similar:
Steering Box Oil Millers Semi Fluid - Sports & Classics

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Fluid grease, like the example below ?
I suppose I need this tool to insert it..

 

[j_radcliffe]

Fluid grease, like the example below ?
I suppose I need this tool to insert it..

View attachment 23396 View attachment 23397

I think that is more like a grease, rather than a semi fluid grease. A grease gets injected through a grease fitting at high pressure.

the semi fluid grease that I use dispenses from a squeeze bottle.

I think the penrite product comes in a squeeze bottle, otherwise place it in hot water for an hour or so and pour it in using a funnel. Looking at your phone image it appears you are in the Netherlands. It is available there:


Semi Fluid Grease / steering box lube500ml. - Blankers Unusual Classics

 

[Wilfred Oldtimer]

Thanks,
I will try to look for a local store or a webshop