Steering box adjustment and lubrication

Wilfred Oldtimer

Active Member
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

IMG_0757.jpeg
 
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.
 
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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...
 
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

IMG_0761.jpegIMG_0762.png
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
Dont use that oil in the car's gearbox! Use a straight 20 oil. Mine had a strange thick yellow-green fluid in it.
 
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.
 
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

IMG_0762.png
 
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
 
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Fluid grease, like the example below ?
I suppose I need this tool to insert it..

View attachment 23396View 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
 
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