Steering Gear Lube

[Tim Keeler]

Does anyone have the current G.M. part number for Steering Gear Lube? The old G.M. number from the service manual was 1051052. If you have it, please send it my way. Thanks as always, Tim - 26883

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

Tim----


I don't recognize that 1051052 part number. What year service manual did that come out of? Anyway, the current part number for the lubricant to service 1963-82 Corvette steering boxes is GM #12377985. My recollection is, though, that the previous part number was GM #1052084.


I don't know if the GM #12377985 is applicable to C1 steering boxes, but I believe that it is.

[Tim Keeler]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

Hi Joe, Thanks for the response. The original PN is out of the 1973 Chevrolet Service Manual. I found that number supercedes to 1052182 and then again and again. I was amazed but my local dealer had the second supercedure still on inventory. Thanks again, Tim

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

Tim----


Now I understand why I didn't recognize the original part number you provided. The supercession to the GM #1052182 is a key to me, since I am familiar with it. This steering gear lube is still available or was VERY recently superceded. This part number is NOT the proper lube for a CORVETTE steering box. It is used for most other GM manual steering boxes, but NOT CORVETTE. It can be used in a Corvette, but it is not the proper or best lubricant. It is of considerably less viscosity than the Corvette lube. The 1052182 lubricant is supplied in a 10 squeeze tube.


Previously, and for many years, the Corvette steering gear lube was GM #1052084(I've confirmed this part number). Recently, it has been changed to GM #12377985 as I previously mentioned. Both of these lubricants are(were) supplied in a standard 14.5 oz grease cartridge.

[Jeff Gunn]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

I recently had the manual steering gearbox for my '74 coupe rebuilt by a local steering shop. They told me to fill it with 90 weight gear oil when I started using it. Is this similar to the viscosity of the oils you guys have been discussing? Thanks. Jeff

[Jerry]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

Hi Jeff:


The product is very similar but NOT what GM recommends and the reason, I believe, is the proximity of the steering components, i.e. gearbox, to the exhaust manifold in the close quarters of the Corvettes engine compartment. The GM recommended lube is better formulated for this application.


jerry

[Joe L.]

Re: Steering Gear Lube

Jeff-----


No, 90 weight gear oil is a lot less viscous than the Corvette steering gear lube. The Corvette steering gear lube has the viscosity of chassis grease, which, I believe, is considered about "140 weight". The other non-Corvette GM manual steering gear lube which I mentioned is about like 90 weight gear oil, and perhaps a little heavier.