steering box fluid

lake · Post by **lake** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:23 am

As the weather is getting colder at nights my steering seems really stiff in the early mornings .I had topped it up with 90w gear oil ,but I am thinking now did I put to much in the box or perhaps the wrong weight oil. Can anyone advise correctly on this . thanks, Lake

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:58 am

You can't really put too much oil in the steering box. If the weather is really cold some of the stiffness may be normal. But, you might have some part of the steering system binding. I would disconnect the each of the linkages in turn starting at the steering box, moving the steering wheel each time and seeing if there is any change in the effort required to move the wheel. That way you can determine which parts may be binding if any - steering gear, drag link, pitman arm, tie rods and joints, knuckles, king pin bearings. If you can lift the front wheels off the ground with jack stands or a secure lift at the same time it would be easier to manipulate the steering system.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:14 am

If you are new to old jeeps a stiffening of the steering in the winter is common. If it is just the cold then you can verify that by driving it for a half hour where you can make lots of turns and if it loosens up under use then it is just the temp change. You will also find that the axles and tranny/transfer will also stiffen up in the winter when you first start out with more RPM needed to get her moving until the gear oil warms up from the use.

captw · Post by **captw** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:40 pm

for some reason, 90 seems light to me...shouldn't it be 140??...Wilf

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:54 pm

The M38 lube chart calls out GO 90 for above freezing and from freezing down to 0 F. The M38A1 lube chart calls out GO 90 above freezing and GO 75
from freezing down to -10 F. Folks that go to GO 140 or heavier greases usually do that because they don't wish to reseal their steering boxes.

captw · Post by **captw** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:51 pm

okay, thank you Wes...I'll get the eye dropper out and see if I can refill it...W

Post by **wesk** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:31 pm

Hello Wilf,
A turkey baster works well and so do the farm animal supply syringes.

lake · Post by **lake** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:35 am

thanks for the good infomation . Lake

captw · Post by **captw** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:31 am

yup, you're right Wes...that's what I call the eye dropper!!...thanks again...W

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