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50Splitman Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004 Posts: 344
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:15 pm Post subject: Steering box leak |
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I cleaned, installed new shaft and cover seals and added fresh, proper oil filled to the recommended level. My steering box works well, but depending on the weather, believe it or not, it starts to weep out of the area I circled in the picture.
Any ideas what I can do to stop the leaking?
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ZENVWDRIVER Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2008 Posts: 3340 Location: N.E. Oklahoma
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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… Nice picture of the nice clean steering box area - sure would be happy with your results - don't know if you can stop that leak, but you sure can stop being a perfectionist - just wipe it clean occasionally - Hey, it's A VW (designed in the 1930s) - they are leakers - that's the nice thing about them - have fun - z _________________ 5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON
All super-heroes, wear a MASK |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33883 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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Your photo looks like the older, oil-filled model. Many have found that the same greases used in the newer models will work well in the old boxes, and leak a bit less. Just be sure to select the right grease (search for "cornhole") and leave a little air/expansion space. |
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frenchroast Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2019 Posts: 678
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Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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KTPhil wrote: |
... Just be sure to select the right grease (search for "cornhole") ... |
"Corn Gear" works too. |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 33883 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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geneL3c Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2007 Posts: 296 Location: Bridgehampton,NY
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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I had a similar problem with a 1937 Packard steering box ( same era design ) that absolutely would not hold gear oil overnight ! I used a grease gun filled with
high temp wheel bearing grease to force it into the steering box and so far only have to fill and check occasionally. |
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50Splitman Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2004 Posts: 344
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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Thanks, everyone - I think I'll drain the oil and go with the corn head grease. It is so strange that for days the box will not leak. And then as the outside temp and pressure changes, the box will not only seep - it will leave a small (3 inch) spot on the garage floor on a small pad I leave there now. I'll wipe the steering box, and i repeat this every week. I've removed some of the oil, but it still continues!
The only thing I can imagine is that the original steering shaft seal was felt, and the new seals are rubber, like wheel bearing seals. Maybe the original steering felt seal allowed the box to "breathe" during temp/pressure changes? |
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HellraiserKG Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2008 Posts: 33 Location: Antwerp, Belgium
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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:28 pm Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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I've noticed this with dnepr motorcycles too (30's BMW design)
They still use felt because tolerances werent that great at the time and felt still seals while expanding more than rubber. |
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KdF1 Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2005 Posts: 244 Location: East Coast of U.S.A.
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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The Corn Head grease works well. I learned about this solution (trick) from fellow members of the Antique Automobile Club of America who have a huge range of different type vehicles and tractors too. It's what I used in my KdFs steering box. Can be picked up at any John Deer tractor supply store. _________________ Feb 1944 KdF Type 82e.
Nov 1947 CCG type 11
www.KdFregistry.com |
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leowagen Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2018 Posts: 171 Location: Argentina
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Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:45 am Post subject: Re: Steering box leak |
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Have the same box style in my 57. I used Omala 220 gear oil and also leaks exactly from the same place. Since that piece is supposed to be turned for adjusting the bearings endpay, and for sure has certain amount of wear, there's nothing that can be done... I'm not very confident with the grease or corn oil... Don't know if the sector's back and forth movement ends up wiping out the grease...
My next attempt will be with 460 gear oil... if no improvements, I already know where to fin some gunk if i don't clean it often enough.... _________________ Frankenwagen: full 1957 pan, under late 60s Brazilian body |
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