1960 Steering Box

[Joe M.]

No surprise, but my steering box leaks profusely; greasy all the way to the back of the frame. The side with the side cover gasket is clean and dry. Leaks appear from the lash adjuster cup and sector shaft. Since my steering is still tight, I don't want to rebuild the steering box components, just replace the gasket and seals. Of course, my mechanic recommends a rebuild.

I would like feedback on changing out seals/gasket only vs. full rebuild.

I am also considering just replacing the 90W oil with grease. I have read archive threads with opinions for and against. Some say it is the quickest way to ruin the worm gear; others say they have had no problem after 15 or 20 years of running grease.

[John F.]

Re: 1960 Steering Box

GM tech bulletin said to go with the grease.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1960 Steering Box

There is only ONE gasket (side cover) and ONE seal (sector shaft). Replacement of either or both will basically require removal of the steering box/column from the car.
As mentioned, back in 1959, a bulletin was issued to change the steering box lube to grease. MOST people use a good grade of chassis grease.
The 49-54 pass car and 53-62 Vette boxes are the same. I've used grease in my 51 Chevy box and 56 Vette box longer than the age of most people on this forum. ZERO issues.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Steering Box

Tom, the removal of the box and steering column was not what I wanted to hear! Sounds like big bucks for my mechanic and not something I want to tackle. Thanks for the honesty.

If I wanted to remove the 90W fluid out of the box, is it possible to remove the lash adjuster nut and loosen the housing side cover bolts only only and not have to remove anything else?

[Tom P.]

Re: 1960 Steering Box

Tom, the removal of the box and steering column was not what I wanted to hear! Sounds like big bucks for my mechanic and not something I want to tackle. Thanks for the honesty.

If I wanted to remove the 90W fluid out of the box, is it possible to remove the lash adjuster nut and loosen the housing side cover bolts only only and not have to remove anything else?

You don't even need to do all that.
Just remove the lower, side cover attaching bolt and let it drain (for a day or two).
Put the bolt back in, tighten all 4 bolts, remove the filler plug on top, stick the end of your grease gun into the hole and pump the box full of grease, put the plug back in, you're done.

As an option, if you wish (and it would be good to do), before putting the lower bolt back in, pump the box full of grease and watch for the old lube to change color to the new grease. That will help to push out more of the old lube (which is probably thick and lumpy). Then put the bolt and fill plug back in.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1960 Steering Box

Would it be a waste of time to flush the box out with a degreaser or paint thinner before adding the grease? I plan to check the grease level after driving the car to see if more grease is needed. I would think that the heat from the exhaust manifold will soften up the grease enough to evenly distribute it in the box.

I am hoping that the positive end result will be that the 52 year old gasket and seal still seal good enough to keep the grease in the box. It will have to be a big improvement over the oily mess I have from one end of the frame to the other!