littlemo Posted October 27, 2011 Report Posted October 27, 2011 I've read numerous threads which dealt with rebuilding the steering boxes in the P-15 Plymouths. I've made note of the different "greases" used by different Forum members in these boxes and their rational for doing so. My question; how the heck do you put this grease into the steering box?? Most of the threads discussed taking the sectors apart to rebuild them. I don't think mine needs rebuilt, but I would like to re-grease before reinstalling. Thanks in advance; Cass, alias littlemo... Quote
Mark D Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 Seen a few guys add zerk fittings in a few threads. But my philosophy is that the original heavy weight oil spec kept mine in good shape for 63 years, so why change a good thing? Quote
austinsailor Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 If you can't take out the plug and pour it in I believe you're using the wrong stuff. Quote
littlemo Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) Ok, here's the one out of my donor car, so where's the plug ?? Add. Is the "filler plug" just above the adjustment screw in this pic?? Edited October 28, 2011 by littlemo Quote
greg g Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 yep, and the green goo comes in a squeezy tube. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 Around 1960 the Shell zone rep taught us to put chassis grease in the gearbox instead of oil saying it was ok to do it. The smaller of the two bolt heads on top of the box is a lock for the shaft adjuster and can be taken out. We were to hold the grease gun tip to the hole and fill it until it came back out. I guess I have been doing that ever since. I don't recall any bad results, plus, my gearbox quit leaking. I don't recommend others do it if it makes them uncomfortable. Quote
Oldguy48 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 I have not added any yet, but I purchased John Deere Corn Head Grease for my P15. The steering gear box leaks a bit, so based on the information I found on this forum, this grease should do a good job. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 How is the John Deere stuff better than the type grease you use on the rest of the car? They say the regular grease ultimately gets worked over to the sides of the box, leaving the gear eventually mostly un-lubed. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 I think that was the idea of packing it in until it comes back out. Supposedly, if its full, it can't get away from the gears. It's a theory. I dunno, but I'm bettin on it. Quote
Furylee2 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 Around 1960 the Shell zone rep taught us to put chassis grease in the gearbox instead of oil saying it was ok to do it. The smaller of the two bolt heads on top of the box is a lock for the shaft adjuster and can be taken out. We were to hold the grease gun tip to the hole and fill it until it came back out. I guess I have been doing that ever since. I don't recall any bad results, plus, my gearbox quit leaking. I don't recommend others do it if it makes them uncomfortable. When I bought my 58 Belvedere, the steering box was leaking. My mechanic buddy did this, and I drove it that way for 25 years. I found a station wagon in a junk yard with power steering, and converted it in 2009. Quote
Guest P15-D24 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 The grease thing is a band-aid if the seal on the bottom of the box is bad and the oil leaks out. The seal fix is actually pretty easy, using a puller take off the pitman, pry out the old seal and replace with another. Quote
OldDad67 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 GM recommended chassis grease for the dealer service departments back in the 50's with the Saginaw boxes. They came with #90 gear oil but would leak so chassis grease was advised. I use a combination of chassis grease and #90 gear oil mixed together for insurance. I'm going to do the same in my P15, at my age if it doesn't last I'll be too old to care. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 for those that are looking for a slightly different lube there is always the stuff that comes with constant velocity boot kits. OR..you can make your own version of this lube using a tube of the black chassis grease (marfax I call it) and mix in some motor oil and stir to you have the consistancy you want.. it will stay mixed..I have also used regular chassic grease and done this same trick thinning to get the consistency I wanted for whatever I should be lubing..this is a grease trick to use when assemblying needle bearing on a lay shaft in a tranny rebuild... Quote
Dan Hiebert Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 I would recommend sticking with the gear oil. Grease will work well with the sector and worm gear, but it won't get down into the bushings the way oil will. That corn head grease is made to stay viscuous (sp?) so that it doesn't cake up away from the moving parts, but it won't flow into the bushings. The steering box bushings for our cars are not "oilite" (infused with lubricant) and are intended to be lubricated with oil, they're ever-so-slightly porous to hold oil. Of course, grease will work and work well, and it will solve leaking problems, but the bushings will wear out "quicker". If your going to rebuild the steering box, the kit will come with a new seal, and you'll probably make new gaskets, so you shouldn't have to worry about leaks anyway. Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 You will find this thread interesting. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=22363&highlight=corn Even though I did the corn head grease trick I do not recommend anyone doing so because as has been mentioned it is a band aid fix. Here is a link to corn head grease. https://jdparts.deere.com/partsmkt/document/english/pmac/8180_fb_GreaseSpecialMultiPurpose.htm#_Special-purpose_corn_head Quote
littlemo Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Posted October 28, 2011 Sounds like the direction I want to go. Thanks Guys !!! Cass, alias littlemo.. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 28, 2011 Report Posted October 28, 2011 Dan Hiebert, you have given an excellent reason to use gear oil instead of grease. In fact, you changed my mind, educated me, I guess you could call it. I will stop advising the use of grease where oil is recommended. Thank you. Quote
littlemo Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Posted October 29, 2011 Well, This might help !!! Cass, alias littlemo... Quote
littlemo Posted October 29, 2011 Author Report Posted October 29, 2011 Helps to include the pic !!! Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 Yeah, well, who reads instructions? Quote
Adam H P15 D30 Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 I heard of people using a mix of 90wt. and that thick sticky engine restore stuff. Might try it if my box starts to leak. Quote
greg g Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 What nobody uses STP for anything anymore??? Quote
austinsailor Posted October 29, 2011 Report Posted October 29, 2011 I heard of people using a mix of 90wt. and that thick sticky engine restore stuff. Might try it if my box starts to leak. A new seal is about $5, might take an hour max to put it in. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.