Doc, what you’re saying about using chassis lube makes the most sense. It does not seem logical that the grease would become warm enough to properly lubricate the recirculating balls in a steering box. One of the problems I see with lubing the steering box is that it is a combination of Gears and Ball bearings. This was probably why there was a specially formulated lube for it. Grease used in a wheel bearing on the other hand, becomes warm enough for it to flow and lubricate the balls or rollers, as does a high fiber wheel bearing grease. Although the Chevrolet service manual does call out the use of gear “oil” as the proper lube for the U-joints, I have always used chassis grease to lube U-joints, and it was the practice when I worked as a greaser at a Chevrolet dealership in the late 50’s; also I guess my reasoning to justify using it here is that the U-joint, like the wheel bearings generate enough heat for the grease to flow. I do not intend on using JD AN102562 "Corn Head Grease" in my steering box, but I did pick up a tube just to see what everyone has been talking about and play around with it some. I talked to the dealer about its flow characteristics and on the tube it says that it is "Formulated not to leak from the Corn Head Gearcase or drain from the gears during idle periods."
What I wonder about is, why the steering box should leak if it has been properly rebuilt? If the sealing surfaces are in good shape and the gaskets and seals are properly installed I see no reason for the gear to leak.
The proper steering lube is available from one of the vendors and has been mentioned in previous discussions before. Right now I can’t recall the vendor’s name, maybe one of you all can, but I do remember that the cost was not out of line. I’m gonna have to make a note to pick up some next time the source surfaces so when I “rebuild” my leaky steering gear, I’ll have the proper lube to top it off.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
