Re: [Chrysler300] Chrysler power steering box

[Keith Boonstra <kboonstra@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here's an update for those interested in this question about the '57 
steering box fluids.  The good news is I found the filler plug on the 
top of the worm housing.  The bad news is I found its location. It's not 
conveniently under the hood, but up under the dash on top of the 
steering column about 4" or so from the firewall.  I hear it's about a 
3/8" socket plug.

I have this sinking feeling that getting fluid of any sort, whether PS 
fluid or stop-leak fluid, up and over into the filler hole just may end 
up with an Exxon Valdez size puddle in the drivers carpet before this is 
all over.  But it still sounds easier than if I have to R&R the whole 
steering box.

Keith

-
On 3/3/2013 12:07 AM, Keith Boonstra wrote:
> AHA!  I found the service manual on our Club website and "there _is no 
> hydraulic connection_ between the worm and gear housings".  The worm 
> housing _does_ have its own separate oil reserve, and that oil level 
> is supposed to be maintained to the level of the filler plug on the 
> housing with 5W20 oil or Type A fluid when the box is in the installed 
> position.  I would assume that this section is not pressurized - 
> unlike the gear housing.
>
> That must mean that they used a non-red oil in the worm housing when 
> rebuilding it, and that is what I have running down the gear housing 
> and dripping off the drag link - unpressurized basic engine oil.
>
> I think I may just try something.  I have had terrific results using 
> Lucas brand PS leak stopper, so maybe I will top the level off in the 
> worm housing with that and hope the dripping stops. Then if it still 
> leaks we can move forward with the next drastic step of removing the 
> whole box for repair.  But at least I now know that there is a filler 
> plug I was unaware of where I can see to it that the worm section 
> stays properly lubricated.
>
> Anybody have an argument with that logic?
>
> Keith Boonstra
>
> -
> On 3/2/2013 7:18 PM, Bob Jasinski wrote:
>>
>> Keith,
>>
>> Just out of curiosity, how could a power steering box leak gear oil, 
>> not power steering fluid?Where is gear oil used in a 300C other than 
>> the differential or a manual trans or manual steering box (if so 
>> equipped)? You have power steering in your C, right?
>>
>> Bob J
>>
>> *From:*Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>> [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Keith Boonstra
>> *Sent:* Saturday, March 02, 2013 10:49 AM
>> *To:* Richard Osborne
>> *Cc:* Brandt Jimerson; Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> *Subject:* Re: [Chrysler300] Chrysler power steering box
>>
>> I'm sure Steer and Gear is a fine company trying to do a very good job,
>> but they left me in a bit of a quandary I still haven't sorted my way
>> out of. A couple years ago I had my C down to the frame. And even
>> though there was nothing wrong with the steering box, I thought it would
>> be smart to send it out to be rebuilt while it was easy to R&R. Seemed
>> smart anyway.
>>
>> I got it back looking all fresh and brand new from Steer and Gear, put
>> it back on the frame, and went about building the whole car - including
>> the front clip - around it. Well; lo and behold, the dang thing started
>> leaking gear oil - not PS fluid - at a rate of three or four drips a day
>> from the joint between the upper and lower sections of the box. It's
>> still dripping every day, and it will until it finally runs out of gear
>> oil - or we pull it back out and do the rebuild over. The gasket at
>> that joint cannot be replaced without taking the box out of the car.
>>
>> This is a real PIA job that shouldn't have had to happen. I so don't
>> even want to find out how hard it is to pull the steering column and
>> snake the steering box out between the engine and the inner fender
>> without doing any body damage. The book says it's possible, but can I
>> really do that without scratching paint anywhere at all?
>>
>> I have told S&G about it and to their credit they are at least mildly
>> sympathetic. They said, "No problem. Just ship it back and we'll do the
>> job over". Easily said. I asked if they would cover my R&R cost, and
>> they said they would not. They said they would do a second one free for
>> me if I ever needed it, but they won't help me out on this R&R. And why
>> would I want to send a second one in for a rebuild after this experience.
>>
>> In the meantime I'm just procrastinating a job I'm going to hate,
>> knowing full well I'll wreck the box if I don't fix it before it runs
>> out of gear oil. I wish someone would have been there at the time to
>> tell me to just clean up the box, and don't mess with something that
>> ain't broke.
>>
>> Has anyone on the forum had the experience of removing the steering box
>> from a '57 or '58 with the engine in and the front clip on? How bad is
>> it? Tell me it's not going to be as tough as it seems.
>>
>> Class? Anyone?
>>
>> Thanks.
>> Keith Boonstra
>>
>> -
>> On 3/2/2013 9:50 AM, Richard Osborne wrote:
>> > Hi Brandt,
>> >
>> > Send it to Steer and Gear. They will rebuild it. They can even give 
>> you options as to the "feel" you get when driving. They are life long 
>> Mopar people and will treat you right. They did my G as well as a 
>> bunch of other cars for me.
>> >
>> > http://www.steerandgear.com/index.html
>> >
>> > Best regards,
>> >
>> > Richard Osborne
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mar 1, 2013, at 10:06 PM, Brandt Jimerson brandt300g@xxxxxxxxx 
>> <mailto:brandt300g%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hello to all in 300sville!!
>> >>
>> >> Well Melissa would be pretty nice if it weren't for a severe power 
>> steering box leak. I found a 1961 Chrysler Newport power steering box 
>> on line but I don't know if it will work for my G. Is it better to 
>> take apart what I have and just replace the seal(s) or do I need a 
>> whole new box!? I know Timo T., from Riverside, Ca., sells them but I 
>> don't know his number. The box for the '61 Newport that I came across 
>> on line is $585 with a $300 core deposit. Someone please give me a 
>> 'shoutback' and let me know and thank you kindly in advance!!
>> >>
>> >> Sincerely & 300ly, Brandt H J with a leaky G.
>> >>
>> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> >
>> >
>> >
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>



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