Steering Box

Hey everyone.

My brand new steering box showed up from the states this week.

I was having a quick look over it after I took it out of the box and noticed the oil fill plugs.

They are just little blue plastic push in things. There is no thread in the holes for a proper plug either. I can pull the blue plugs out with my fingernails but they are a reasonably tight fit.

Do you think I should pull the front cover off and tap the holes for proper plugs? Will it matter if I seal it up completely like this? Has anyone else had this problem?

Because the car is a Baja I'm a little concerned about a plug falling out and the box copping a mouthful of sand or mud.











Please post your thoughts, thanks!



Smiley 😎

Hi
steering boxes were filled with oil originally then they changed to grease...
lithium based moly grease...

and thats all they had ... plugs...

maybe put a grease nipple in one hole...
fill with grease or oil...
and plug the other one... or both grease nipples..

usually they were filled with grease after they started to leak oil...

I suppose a bit of silastic etc would keep the plugs in place...

Mine have never come out...

just wondering why You have bought a new box...

plenty of good used ones about....

LEE

yep grease is a better idea stops any oil leaks ,any auto parts supplier will have grease nipples and do while it's out i have been using grease for a long time,takes a lot of slop out of th box,i take the plugs out and take the grease guns nipple of and away ya go

I have an original steering box on the shelf that has one of those plugs missing, the hole seems too large for a grease nipple, how do you fit a grease nipple, is there large nipples available, if you thread the hole does that mean pullimg the box apart as otherwise you would get metal from the threading process inside the box ? greedy, what did you mean by this bit? "take the plugs out and take the grease guns nipple of"

tap the hole to suit a brass plug and drill and tap a smaller thread in the brass plug for the grease nipple. Simple 👍

Hi,
A 1/4" npt grease nipple might fit the hole, not really necessary though as they have been like that for ever

So i can just clean out and fill with wheel bearing grease???

👍 +1 for just using silcone sealant to seal the caps on lol.

So much easier and quicker lol. Thats what i will do, cause i'm lazy. I can't be bothered unbolting the top cover, pressing the shaft off the cover, then drilling it, then tapping it after using 3 taps to eventually get the thread, then cleaning up, then fitting the bolts, then bolting back on.. sigh lol.

Aussie Dubbin wrote:So i can just clean out and fill with wheel bearing grease???

I only recommend using

LITHIUM BASED MOLY GREASE...

You can get it at BIG W auto one auto cheap all auto shops

Valvolene Castrol SHELL etc

LEE

many wheel bearing greases are clay based....

Penrite make a steering box lube, its called - guess what? - Steering Box Lube.😏 It's better than grease, because it liquid, but it does not run out. It is so thick that it has to be warmed up (remind you of anyone) before it will pour. 👍

So don't bother putting proper plugs/nipples in it?

I can more than likely get the bits from work aswell as taps ect.


Smiley 😎

HappyDaze wrote:Penrite make a steering box lube, its called - guess what? - Steering Box Lube.😏 It's better than grease, because it liquid, but it does not run out. It is so thick that it has to be warmed up (remind you of anyone) before it will pour. 👍

Now that IS a great idea...
and You know that the box will be filled up with lubricant...

maybe that could be done with lithium based moly grease also...
never thought of heating it up...

but many greases go to a liquid when heated...

cheers

LEE


PS: I wouldn't worry with the plugs....
mine have never fell out... since 1968.....

68AutoBug wrote:PS: I wouldn't worry with the plugs....
mine have never fell out... since 1968.....

But do you thrash your car offroad?



Smiley 😎

I realy don't think any kind of thrashing will move the plug, it weighs stuff all and is a reasonably firm fit so there's nothing to cause it to come out.

I'd go with the Steering box lube and silicone in the plugs for added security.

My 2c