Steering Gear Lubrication

[Ala75Vette]

I want to refill my steering gear box. The Haynes and the GM Service Manual both say NOT to use chassis lube, but to use GM Steering Gear Lubricant, spec GM 4673M or equivalent. I'm in a quandry, because NAPA, my local chevy dealer, or Advance Auto don't seem to know what I'm talking about when I ask for "steering gear lubricant." Is chassis lube, aka lithium grease, really "OK," should I use heavy weight gear oil (like in the manual trans), or something else? Thanks for your help.....

Frank

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I haven't done this to mine yet but I read to mix a good quality axle grease with some gear oil and add it to the box.

 

[Ala75Vette]

Thanks, Bob! On the way to the store this afternoon. I've got my 75 up on jack stands while my brother-in-law (mechanic) helps me rebuild the transmission, long as I've got it sitting, wanted to take care of a few other items on "the list."

Frank

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I know the feeling Frank. Never seems to be enough time while it is up on the stands to get everything done.

While you have the tranny out are you replacing the u-joints in the drive shaft and having it balanced. Only four more bolts and $100. I also replaced the rear trans bushing and the front differential carrier bushing while I was working on the drive shaft.

Keep us posted and post some pics.

Bob

 

[Ala75Vette]

Well, as for the drive shaft, I replaced the u-joints last fall, but I can't say I was "truly" happy with the job.... the one u-joint closest to the trans was still stiff after being replaced, twice, once by me, and once by a local mechanic. Didn't have the shaft balanced, but that sounds like a good thing to do while I have some down time, especially with all the vibration I've had lately. I'm hoping the trans bushing is part of the rebuild, but don't know for sure -- still waiting on the kit from zip corvette. Was the differential bushing hard to do? Just for grins, here's a pic of the drive shaft sitting on the floor in my kitchen when I replaced the u-joints a few months ago....

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I try to keep the parts out of the kitchen. Keeps the wife happy.

The front diff bushing is easy.

 

[Tom73]

I want to refill my steering gear box. The Haynes and the GM Service Manual both say NOT to use chassis lube, but to use GM Steering Gear Lubricant, spec GM 4673M or equivalent. I'm in a quandry, because NAPA, my local chevy dealer, or Advance Auto don't seem to know what I'm talking about when I ask for "steering gear lubricant." Is chassis lube, aka lithium grease, really "OK," should I use heavy weight gear oil (like in the manual trans), or something else? Thanks for your help.....

Frank

What you need is GM part number 12377985. Ask your chevy parts dept to look up GM #12377985 and you should be okay. There is also another Steering gear lub, GM #1052182, that was used in other cars but NOT in the Vette. It is thinner and could cause leaks at the pitman arm fitting.

(Got the above info from the NCRS board archives )

tom...

 

[mvftw]

GMpartsDirect has it for $5.25, looks like a tube of grease for your ball joints.

 

[Ala75Vette]

Thanks, Tom & mvftw!

Called our chevy dealer and they don't have it, but can order it for me. Unfortunately, GMpartsDirect does have it, but wants to sell me a package of 10 tubes, a bit more lubing than I hope to have to do! So, I'll save the steering gear lubrication for next weekend. And thanks to everyone for offering all the resources.... there was a pretty good discussion of what to do (without using GM lube) over on that "other" chat board pointed to by Bob.

Thanks again.....

Frank

PS- My wife does discourage car parts in the kitchen, generally, so I usually try not to parade my "trophies" around tooo much!

 

[GTR1999]

Yo can use Mobil 1 sythetic grease,available frm many places including Graingers. If the box hasn't been lubed since new theold grease will be caked and dried out. You might want to think about removing the box to clean out the old grease then adding the new grease. You'll need a cover gasket at the minimum but a good overhaul kit is about $60 in case you want to go through the whole box.