Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Steering box leak
Forum Index -> Beetle - Split-Window/1938-53 VWs Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
50Splitman
Samba Member


Joined: April 29, 2004
Posts: 344

50Splitman is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:15 pm    Post subject: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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?

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ZENVWDRIVER
Samba Member


Joined: November 07, 2008
Posts: 3340
Location: N.E. Oklahoma
ZENVWDRIVER is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:41 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

… 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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KTPhil Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 33883
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
KTPhil is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
frenchroast
Samba Member


Joined: October 13, 2019
Posts: 678

frenchroast is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 5:02 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

KTPhil wrote:
... Just be sure to select the right grease (search for "cornhole") ...

"Corn Gear" works too. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
KTPhil Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 33883
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
KTPhil is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:23 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

Sorry, autocorrect has a funny sense of humor. Or I do and don't know it. Anyway...

Search "Corn Head Grease".
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

https://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Special-Purpose-Corn-Head-Gun-Grease-AN102562.html
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
geneL3c Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 08, 2007
Posts: 296
Location: Bridgehampton,NY
geneL3c is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:21 am    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
50Splitman
Samba Member


Joined: April 29, 2004
Posts: 344

50Splitman is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 8:04 am    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
HellraiserKG
Samba Member


Joined: August 28, 2008
Posts: 33
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
HellraiserKG is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 4:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
KdF1
Samba Member


Joined: May 03, 2005
Posts: 244
Location: East Coast of U.S.A.
KdF1 is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:41 am    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
leowagen
Samba Member


Joined: October 16, 2018
Posts: 171
Location: Argentina
leowagen is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 10:45 am    Post subject: Re: Steering box leak Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Beetle - Split-Window/1938-53 VWs All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.