Re: steering box

["Robert S. Wilkinson" <wilk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Partridge (76 Spider) writes:

I've seen suggestions of putting axle grease in the steering on Spiders,
Berlinas, etc.
I know mine is leaking so I would like to do this. My question is, how do
you fill the box with grease.
As soon as you start pumping it in the top end will fill and block the
inlet.
Should I cover it up and drive around until the heat from the engine
compartment softens the grease
causing it to ooze down and make room for another squirt and repeat as
necesary until the box is filled?


I have filled steering gears with grease for the same reason.  Upon
inspection some time later, I found that that the moving parts sweep the
grease away, and are no longer lubricated.  The Corvair guys (yes, I admit
to having one) use a mixture of about 1/2 grease and 1/2 90-150 oil.  Warm
the grease to mix in the oil.  This "flows", can fill the steering gear,
yet tends to have some thixotropy, preventing capillary leakage throught
the bushings.

Bob Wilkinson
72 Spider
64 Corvair Spyder convertible (not really, it now has AC and no turbo).
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