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Hey Gang,
I don't see a capacity for the steering gear box on the lubrication order? What is it? Has anybody used other than gear oil in these?

Went out in my garage yesterday. Thermometer said 12 F. She fired right up I managed to hook up my xfer case/parking brake levers. That was it. I may need to invest in a torpedo heater. Fingers get cold quicker now

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Ah Ha! Small world, isn't it? Just filled mine yesterday before the rain hit-took just over a pint. I recall VPW's catalog stating they use John Deere cornhead grease for gearboxes-can't comment otherwise since I've never tried it.
Gary

I used corn head grease in my steering box from advice of a guy from VPW. I can't say whether this was a good decision or bad. I've not had any problems, although there are other arguments against the idea that do make sense. Bottom line is I have the grease in there and I can't get it out so to compromise, I did put some gear oil into the mix. Corn head grease does mix with gear oil so I'm hoping with the two in there, I'm covered. I do know that gear oil alone will leak out, with the corn head it won't.

The oil capacity is 12 ounces. Lubricant must flow to get to all areas that need lubrication, of course grease (corn picker head or otherwise) doesn't flow as a liquid lube will. You can be the judge of the better product to use here. We use 80/90 gear lube in all our rebuilt boxes, heavier such as 140 is ok in warm climates. We've found the 80/90 to be a good all temp lube. A gear box built correctly & in good condition will hold gear oil just fine without a leaking problem. If your steering gear box won't hold oil; face it, it's rebuild time. Not time to fill it with a improper lubricant.

I'll weigh in on using grease. In the 80s I found a 62 P1800 Volvo in a barn. I love a challenge and this one hadn't run in over 15 years. After the fuel system, cooling system and brake work I got it running great. The steering box was leaking and I wanted to use it so I used Lubi-Plate (sp) lower unit grease for outboards. I put over 200K on that car and never had a problem with the box. I don't condone the use of the grease but in my case it worked well in my area 0* to 95*. But understand lower unit grease isn't like what comes out of a grease gun.

Thanks for the help guys. I will be using the oil as my box is freshly re-sealed and should not have any leaks

A wise choice, Steve & Bubba don't know!

m-37Bruce wrote:A wise choice, Steve & Bubba don't know!

what dont i now?

bubba_got_you wrote:

m-37Bruce wrote:A wise choice, Steve & Bubba don't know!

what dont i now?

Present Bubba's excluded!!

They's a Bubba that works for Dave Butler @ VPW, hes the Bubba Ima referrin' too.