VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 33 Master Steering Shaft Binding

I finished the restoration on this car seven years ago and just recently noticed that when I start to turn the steering wheel in either direction, I get a momentary binding that feels like plastic rubbing. The steering wheel is not touching the column. It is only with each initial turn off the wheel in either direction.


- I plan to remove the column and shaft today, but thought I would ask if anyone knows what may be causing this.

- The steering linkage is greased, however, should the steering gear be oiled or greased? My gear has a grease fitting and I have greased the gear, but I just checked the repair manual and it says the steering gear requires Gear Oil (SAE 160). Mine is an early production Eagle. Could later Master models have required Gear Oil rather than Grease?

I did a search for a similar topic but did not find anything. Thanks as always.

DO NOT use grease in '33 Chevrolet steering boxes. Don't use it in '20s to at least mid '30s Chevys. Grease will not flow to lubricate the outer bushing. SAE 160 or similar flowable high viscosity oil is required. The high viscosity reduces the leakage.

Thanks Chipper, could be my problem. I hope I did not ruin the gear by greasing it all this time. I removed the steering wheel and I put the nut back on the shaft and turned the shaft with a wrench. The shaft is binding. I will remove, and dissemble the gear , clean out the grease and check for wear and refill with oil. In my last post I was informed the Filling Station has SAER 160.

Thanks Chipper, I appreciate it.

Generally the binding you described is caused by worn steering gear parts. Could be as simple as the thrust bearing or major like the worm gear/shaft.

I have the column out. I don't recall what secures the shaft to the gear box. How do I remove the shaft?

Before dismantling the box, I figured I would pull as much of the grease out as possible then I shot 140 Gear Oil in until it overflowed. It flushed some of the grease out. I did several full turns and opened the grease fitting and removed more grease and refilled with oil. The binding is pretty much gone. I'll drive tomorrow and try flushing the gear again with more gear oil. I may have dodged a bullet.

Thanks for the advice.

Worn ball joints on the tie rod or drag link can do the same thing, too. Check to see if the area around the joints are not cut with a grove where the slot rubs on the shaft just under the ball. Both the tie rod and drag link were excessively worn almost 1/2 in two.

Thanks Terrill. The front end is in good shape. The binding is gone. It's a pleasure to drive again. It was a stupid oversight by me not checking the repair manual before pumping grease into the gear, but the grease fitting fooled me. As always, this forum came to my rescue. Thanks to you and the others for taking the time to impart your wisdom and experience.

Many people refer to the Alemite fittings as grease fittings. Actually the Alemite pin type fittings were and still are not intended for grease. They are intended for oil generally high viscosity. Last I know they were still being used on industrial equipment such as paper making machines.