The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Looking for steering gear lube

All, I am looking for steering gear lube and a rebuild kit for my '42 steering box. I've learned the hard way that 90 weight oil just runs out the steering shaft! I found a post by Jim Forbes who listed a GM #1052182 but this lube was discontinued in April of 2002. What is the alternative I can use? Anyone seen an ad in Hemmings possibly for the lube?
Thanks in advance!

Try a search here, there have been several postings on this topic in the past 6 months reccomending a combo of gear lube and heavy oil or tractor lube.

I usually pump it full of chassis grease & add a little gear oil.

Try using John Deer Corn Head grease, AN102562.

Chev's of the 40's has rebuild kits.

The kits include the upper and lower bearing and race, the side cover seal, the sector shaft seal, ball bearings and a bushing for the sector housing.

After discovering the bushing was too long I cut it down and then ID of the new bushing was too small so I honed it out with a brake cylinder hone.

Before you buy a kit you could check with NAPA and tear the box apart to see where the problem is.

You can get the bushings, bearings, seals and the adjusting screw at NAPA for the 47-53 trucks for sure. I'm not sure about the ballbearings, but I'd bet they are a standard size. Often the NAPA guys can work off the numbers stamped into the old parts so I pull them and take them in to NAPA and say "I need one of these", they punch it into the computer for a cross over number. If not maybe someone here can hook you up with them for your '42.

Use a moly base gear lube. It stays soft at lower temps than lithium.

Nearly all the ford suppliers (Mac's, Carpenter, etc.) offer 400 weight lube. On second thought model A sites might be better. I agree with others that a modern lube has a lot better performance but it gives you an option.

PENRITE STEERING GEAR LUBE

Over here Castrol market a semi-liquid grease with extreme-pressure additives,originally developed for sealed bulldozer track-rollers,low speed gearboxes etc.
It's fluid enough to flow back to the bottom of the steering box but thick enough not to leak- should be ideal.
It's sold here as Castrol TC Grease

JD cornhead grease is the way you want to go..must be more than 1 farmer on this site...hehehe...doc

Thanks for all the replys! I plan on finding the John Deere, Castrol or the Penrite lube. Then contacting Chevs of the 40's as well as Napa for a rebuild kit for the box. I understand the "newer" steering boxes, 47 to 54 are a better design, any thoughts there? Is it worth finding one to use instead of mine, once it is rebuilt?

Best Regards,
Bryan

Bryan,

The later boxes mount very different than the 41 - 46. Get the penrite lube. It is a direct replacement for the original lube used in these boxes. It will take hours to pour into the box. It is very thick. The 42 - 46 steering box is the best box for your truck if you want a bolt in, original type solution.