Steering Box

[bamarover]

Our 1971 Series IIA steering box was covered in thick grease / dirt. We removed it with shaft intact and cleaned it up. It is a nice bright shiny silver! The car steered adequately prior to disassembly for frame swap and bulkhead repair.
Should we open and replace gaskets to try to stop leaks, or do they leak anyway?
What type of oil?
Any caveats on doing this like spring loaded things, gears, or small parts that like to jump out of place on opening cover?
Thanks for the reply.
Greg

[Bogatyr]

Bamarover,
Yep, that's usually the case, they do clean up nicely no?

If you're doing the job in situ and take the bottom cover off, you'll likely drop the bearings on the floor. I've tried twice to make mine stop leaking without luck yet...I've also resorted to synthetic 85w140 in the box, but it still leaks...marking her territory I guess.

Bogatyr

[bamarover]

I had a funny feeling about taking it apart! Glad I asked first. I think I will replsce the oil and enjoy the leak!
Thanks,
Greg

[Greg S]

When my steering box for my 1970 109 started to leak, I replaced the oil with grease and it has been fine ever since. There was a bit of oil mixed in to make it a thin grease but thick enough not to get by the worn seal. Of course, because I live in the part of the frozen North that I do, I don't have trouble with the grease getting stiff and making the steering hard. If I lived somewhere like NY this might not be possible due to the hardening in the winter.

[pickuprover]

I use lucas transmission additive in my 90w oil to help with that leak... If it is not too bad the stuff in the lucas tends to help the seals. Mine still leaks a bit but nothing compared to what it was.