Steering gearbox upper seals - I found them...but one question.

You guys remember this post: :16suspect
http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=15787

I've been searching for the upper seal for my manual gearbox without much luck. :16suspect It's almost like a rubber grommet. I FINALLY FOUND THEM! :bananaman Check out Harry's steering gearbox repair at http://www.steeringgearrebuilders.com/. I talked to them over the phone - they're great people! I got the seal and it works GREAT.
I have one question though. I found lots of grease in the box. I know alot of people pump grease into the boxes and that some old boxes (chevy) were SUPPOSSED to have grease. Either way, did the factory ever put any significant amount of grease into the Maverick box or should I use ONLY gear oil when putting it back together?

 

I've never had a gear box apart. I'll bet you could call Harry back. I"m sure they would know what is supposed to be there.

 

I kept searching after posting this. It seems everyone just puts gear oil in them. I used 85w-140. I completely disassembled it, cleaned it, put in the news seals, and reassembled it. Then filled it with gear oil. It works GREAT. It was easy too!

 

Every steering gear I have seen is packed with grease. Is the gear oil better, or is the grease better? I put a zerk fitting on the top of the gear to keep it full. Thanks,

 

The oil seems to work fine, but I haven't driven the car (I need to finish the motor first). I've heard the grease was a fix for leaky seals. However, some of the old GM boxes were greased from the factory. Does anyone have a service manual with the original specs? If I need to pack it with grease, then I'll do so.

 

I would think the oil would be more preferable. I think in the old days before recirculating ball boxes, grease was used on those worm & sector boxes. But I think the oil would definately make it easier to turn.

 

"Does anyone have a service manual with the original specs? "
my gear box man packed mine with "red grease" when he rebuilt it...frank...

 

Frank; I packed mine with red grease when I installed it a few weeks ago. It is fine, just a bit tough to turn the big tires when stopped or going slow. Maybe it is my puny arms that are the problem. Does anyone have a way of checking, or should we call some of the rebuilders and find out for sure. I'll try today, and see what goes.

 

Let us know if you find out anything Earl. For some reason I'm thinking the factory used oil. I know many mechanics packed them with grease when the seals failed. As hard as it was to find the upper seal, I can understand. Fortunately, we have a source for them now!