Steering box lube

[JW 54]

I just checked the level of the oil in my steering box for the first time and and the oil in it is very thick. Like molasses. I poked a long zip tie into it and removed some very thick stuff like grease out of it. Should I be concerned with this? If so how should I proceed?

 

[vwnate1]

This is a *very* good and important question ! .

No worries about the molasses in there now , just jack up the front end so wheels are off the ground , fill it to the top with gear oil then turn the steering wheel full lock , left to right and back again , after a while the oil level will go down as it gets forced to mix with the stiff stuff , top it up again and repeat until it no longer drops , then you're good to go .

This is a Saginaw recirculating ball typ of gear so grease will wreck it , never , EVER put grease in a steering box ! .

You can use STP or Bardahl , any typ of thick oil if it leaks profusely but NO GREASE ! .

 

[JW 54]

Thanks Nate. Glad to hear I don't have to clean out steering box, I would'nt know where to start I don't see any type of drain plug on it.
Jerry

 

[vwnate1]

Easy - Peasy

You'll be happy to learn that almost everything on these fine old trucks is this simple to service or repair...