Steering box full of grease?

[mtgibby]

I opened up the steering box to change out the fluid and change the gasket. Nothing came out because it is packed full of grease!

The grease looked relatively clean, and everything was very well preserved. I removed the grease and now I am wondering, repack it with new grease or use 80 or 90 weight mineral oil like the book says?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Mike

Edited September 25, 2016 by mtgibby

[PackardV8]

They're usually full of grease because the output shaft seal is shot and even the heavy oil leaks out.

jack vines

[mtgibby]

Jack, Is that the seal leading to the pitman arm?

I have an new seal for that shaft, but the seal I got from SI looks different from the one installed, so I didn't mess with it.

[PackardV8]

Yes, that's the seal going to the Pitman arm.

I've never rebuilt an Avanti box, but on a truck box, there was room in the recess for two seals, so I added a second for insurance.

The root cause is Studebaker used cheap junk Ross steering boxes (Saginaw excepted) and the bearing was worn by 100k miles and the seal can't hold when the shaft is moving in an orbit. Replacing the seal is a short term fix, but our hobby cars and trucks won't usually see many miles anymore.

jack vines

Edited September 26, 2016 by PackardV8

[mtgibby]

^{Thanks Jack.}

^{That's good information. I might still install the new seal, or not.}

^{Do you still have that rebuilt R1 Carb ? I am still looking for one.}

^{Thanks again,}

^Mike

^{mtgibby@hotmail.com}