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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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The excellent posting, with pictures, on chevytalk.org on rebuilding the steering gear box says:
"Pump the box full of chassis grease, NOT 80-90wt gear oil.
Back in the late 50s, there was a GM Service Bulletin which directed the change to chassis grease in these early steering boxes."
I am going to replace the pitman arm bushing and seal on my 1950 this fall and need to know if any of you can confirm that GM recommended grease instead of gear oil.
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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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I use John Deere Corn Head Grease. John Deere used it on combine gear boxes that they coudn't keep sealed with gear lube. Works well for me
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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I used the John Deere corn head grease as well in my 52- worked just fine, and was the recomendation of many truck owners. Comes in a tube like chassis grease; just use a grease gun and pump it in the box. Since I didn't have a John Deere dealer nearby, just ordered a couple tubes from a John Deere parts web-site.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Thank you for all the replies!
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Oil Can Mechanic
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OP
Oil Can Mechanic
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I found a reference to this on the GM Heritage Center web site, 1950 Model Specifications, page 6, Steering section, Lubricant recommended: "See Note *". The note says: "Steering Gear, Multi-Purpose Gear Lubricant or Chassis Lubricant." I assume Chassis Lubricant is grease.
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Multipurpose gear lub. is transmission/differential gear oil. It is too thin and will run out.
Chassis lubricant is too thick and will not fow into the bearings and bushings.
I mix the two together and make a small batch.
Gene Schneider
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Get some John Deere corn head grease.
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I picked up the cornhead grease when I was in North Platte NE a couple of weeks ago for a family reunion. It was about $4.00 for the tube. Just need to get a cheap grease gun for it now.
1946 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup Purchased 11/18/17 Sold 9/20
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe, Purchased 6/20/2010
1965 Chevy ll 350 Purchased Feb 2021. 3-speed Saginaw Hurst Floor Shifter 3.08 Rear End
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crew
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Yeah, the seal is usually shot so corn head grease is good...Or do as Gene said, and formulate your own...Just make sure there's something in there...  You guys ever think of heating it up, and pour it in...? So it completely fills up...? Don't do this on the stove with "the little lady" in town...This was also an old trick with old motorcycle chains...Gets the lube everywhere you want it...
Last edited by kevin47; 08/15/13 03:27 PM.
1947 Fleetmaster Sport Coupe VCCA # 47475
If it's not wearing a Bowtie...It's not properly dressed...!
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Gene, What is the mix ratio and what weight oil do you use with the chassis grease? Kevin, Testimonials for that there JD corn bread oil has indicated that is good for anything from mumps to rumitize. It will take the place of mustard plaster, three-in-one oil and tar. Why, it is better tasting than peanut or vegetable oils but not as good as bacon grease and of red-eye gravy and lard. (Can't have everything.) Nonetheless, it's so versatile that I'm going to get me some and fill the 41s steering sector with it. Squirt some in the clock too. If there is any left over, I'm going to eat it. Mercy!  Charlie 
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I have used about a 50/50 mixture.
The gear oil and chassis grease some thing I always have around to work with.
Actually what I do if I am just topping off is fill with gear oil. This will tend to soften up the old hard grease. After it leaks down I refill with chasis greae. The two will mix in the housing.
The reason for first fillng with gear oil is to make sure it flows into all the tight palces.
Last edited by Chev Nut; 08/16/13 09:18 PM.
Gene Schneider
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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What is the part# for the grease? I see three different John Deere greases listed.
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The part number for the cornhead grease I bought is AN102562.
Says "Cornhead Grease" on the tube.
1946 Chevy 3100 1/2 Ton Pickup Purchased 11/18/17 Sold 9/20
1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Coupe, Purchased 6/20/2010
1965 Chevy ll 350 Purchased Feb 2021. 3-speed Saginaw Hurst Floor Shifter 3.08 Rear End
2019 Ford Ranger Lariat Super Crew
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 535
Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Thank you!
I see from doing more research that the cornhead grease is a self-leveling grease. Other manufacturers of self-leveling grease have products recomended for steering gear boxes:
Castrol LE/P0
Penrite SBL00045
CV joint grease has also been mentioned as a possibility.
Last edited by chevy50jim; 08/19/13 04:47 PM.
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