The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts correct oil for steering box /1970 C50

Can some one tell me the correct oil for a manuel steering box on a 1970 C50? some say gear oil 90w, others say fill old boxes with grease?? also is 90W gear oil correct for the tranny and rear axel? It has a 4 speed tranny and singal rear axel (not 2 speed) Thanks

My 1967 service manual has one big generic section that talks about lubricating things.

It says that below 10 F to use SAE 80, up to 100 F use SAE 90, and above 100 F to use SAE 140.

I believe this covers the steering box, differential, and manual transmission.

I think some people use grease as a fix for slow leaks on worn parts. I am not sure if doing it is a good idea or not.

Thanks, I'll use the 90w in all, if the steering box leaks badly I'll put grease as a last resort. if it comes to that It probably need a rebuild anyway.

This brings up a question. On the Novak web site I read a recommendation that the SM465 in my 1 ton be filled with non-synthetic 85W-90, but that it might shift better if filled with 50 weight. It's got 85W-90 in it now and I'm having trouble getting past the 2nd gear synchros when shifting down. Third and 4th are fine and I don't know about first.

I drove it about a hundred miles before changing the transmission oil, and I don't think there was any trouble getting into 2nd, but I don't know what was in it before.

Any suggestions? I'm probably going to re-build the tranny pretty soon because now that I have an exhaust system on it (2 1/2 inch pipes and Thrush Turbos) I can hear some noises coming from it that I don't like.

Sounds like the 2nd gear syncros are worn