Steering Box Lube

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by james cunliffe, Apr 6, 2021.

  1. james cunliffe

    james cunliffe Supporter

    Noticed seepage from steering box so stripped it down and found it was packed in grease, not sure what kind so cleaned it out and wonder if I should replace with steering box grease or recommended oil.
    Seems it must have been packed with grease to cure a leak which seems to have been caused by the 20210406_162109.jpg flattened 'O' ring.
    If the best advice is to go for oil what's the best stuff to clean out the remaining grease with ?

    Thanks for looking.
     
  2. Change the oring & fill with steering box oil, a bit of grease in there won’t cause any issues.
    D649DEA8-3FB7-45D8-9769-47625D796995.png :thumbsup:
     
    james cunliffe likes this.
  3. Fill it with oil (as it should be anyway). Easy enough to change the drop arm shaft seal.
     
    Lasty likes this.
  4. james cunliffe

    james cunliffe Supporter

    Have ordered a set of seals and will get some lube from A H Schofields.

    Thanks.
     
  5. EP80 from Halfords will do fine. Don’t need much.
     
  6. Just done one as a spare - very therapeutic . Filled it with Castrol
    EP90 .

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2021
  7. Did you manage to find new ball races Chris? They seem to be the rare bits.
     
    Lasty likes this.
  8. Nah , couldn't find any but the ones I took out were fine .
    I don't think the box has seen much action to be fair but the 'nose' has a slight crack in the seal housing where someone has been a bit enthusiastic removing the arm . Holds oil though and the box is lovely and smooth

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
    snotty likes this.
  9. Sounds fine! I think if the nylon(?) ball-holder thing has snapped, then you’re a bit stuffed, as nobody’s been able to find replacements.
     
    Lasty likes this.
  10. Be worthwhile getting some 3D printed if anyone has a good one
     
    Lasty likes this.
  11. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    That kind of crack is a candidate for JB weld..
     
  12. The steering box very definitely shouldn't be filled with grease. As the box components wear the tiny metallic fragments get caught in the grease and act like a grinding paste, further accelerating wear - if there's oil in there the metal sinks to the bottom.
     
  13. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Until theres so much bronze in the oil that its pretty. Golden and shiny.
     
  14. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Look in the bronze bearing in the side cover - any deep grooves and your steering will go clunk no matter how much you adjust it. This was a bad box.

    [​IMG]
     
  15. Chrisd

    Chrisd Supporter

    This is almost, but not quite a 'what oil' question. We are away in rural Wales and I've noticed my late bay steering box is dripping oil. I filled it a few months ago knowing it may need a refurbish, and so it's proven. However as I'm on holiday and have some engine oil available (20/50) can I top the steering box oil up with this to tide me over until I pull the box and replace seals after the holiday, or will I do more harm than good and I should try to find some steering box oil? I'm not sure how much oil is left in there currently, hard to see. Thanks all.
     
  16. Stick it in. Might piddle out faster if your seals are shot, but better than nothing.
     
    Chrisd likes this.
  17. Just drive it , they're indestructible....
    (So far....)


    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
    Chrisd likes this.
  18. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    I would let you have some of my EP140 left over from my Seagull outboard's gearbox ..
    Relies on being more like seawater mayonnaise as the seals dont work 100% on that engine..

    Order some seals and some oil, keep driving for now.
    Its probably been half empty for ages.
     
    Merlin Cat likes this.
  19. Chrisd

    Chrisd Supporter

    Cheers guys. I managed to buy some EP80/90 but it's only a slow leak and the steering feels fine...sooooo will keep an eye on it.

    Just checking, the only oil I could find is the EP80/90 which is a GL 5 type. I seem to remember that ours are GL4 but after a quick search, GL5 looks like it should be OK. Am I going to go far wrong if I use this when I take the steering box out for seals? Obviously, I'll use it if I need it on the holiday.
     
  20. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    GL5 contains additives (sulphorous)? that attack bronze bushings.
    Your steering box has such a bush. There are numerous and lengthy discussions regarding how quickly the 'wrong' oil will degrade bronze parts but tbh oil is cheap, a replacement steering box isnt. So stick to GL4.
    Same with the gearbox:thumbsup:
     
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