grease vs gear oil

Hi,HO Guys


Got Zippo up on the jackstands replaceing the front calipers and steering racks covers. The books say the steering racks had 90 wt gear oil in them for lube. Why did they go that route and how do you fill them up with oil??

I have cleaned them up making sure there was no road grit in there how come you can't use a good high pressure grease?? That sure would make life more simple. The pinion is grease filled even has a zerk fitting. The steering rack is not a high speed precision peice of machinery. Come on guys convince me not to put grease in there.:)

greg

Grease will not flow like gear oil and would end up staying in one place. The fitting you call a grease fitting may actually fit a pressure oil gun, bascialy a syringe that you suck up oil and inject it into an item needing oil.

Hi,HO Gerry

You are right bout the "oil gun" I forgot about those, used them back in the 70's. Maybe the reason I forgot is to much 70's

greg

The early cars have a zerk fitting. I always though that was just to grease the bushing in the lower steering column. My 69 doesnt have it. I add 90W through the cover with two bolts. Remove it, the shims and the yoke. Fill with 90W. reassemble, leaving out the thinnest shim to compensate for wear. Works for me.

Don't fell it. If you do it will blow out the boots. You are only suppose to put 8oz. in it.

Also, in cold climes the grease might make steering hard. I fill through the boot opening after jacking the car up on one side.
As for the 70's, I think it was fun!