Mine is a 1955 power steering gearbox. What do I use to fill it? I just rebuilt the seals and need to fill it, it's empty.

 

Corn Head Grease, 90W, 90/140W? 81 views and no replies means no one knows I guess...? i certainly don't and have never had to fill a steering gear.

 

Early power steering systems specified automatic transmission fluid type"A".
This has been replaced, in general use, by Dexron III.

 

Back in the 1960's, they actually sold "Power Steering Fluid" in cans. They were smaller cans for the same price as ATF. Most people figured out ATF worked and was half the price. Charlie Jones is correct.

 

Not the power steering pump and hydraulic system. the actual gearbox itself.

 

I believe these systems shared lubrication through the whole system.
That's why you must jack up the front wheels and cycle wheels from left to right when starting and filling a "dry" steering gear.
Check your 1955 Oldsmobile Shop Manual
I don't think power steering boxes ever took a separate lube.

 

I used 90w gear oil in mine a few years ago, the stuff that came out was black and looked like a mixture of grease and gear oil, real nasty stuff. Seems to be OK, no leaks and the steering is fine, I did read however that mixing the gear oil with "CV" joint black grease will make it less likely to leak over time.

 

Does your car have power steering?

 

yes, factory power steering

 

Hi Charlie, so yes it absolutely does. ATF and gear oil are separate and must not be cross-contaminated. The manual says fill gearbox with oil.

fill plug is right there. The control valve to the right is sealed off with orings and seals. Same with the power cylinder on the left. The pump, power cylinder, control valve and lines have ATF in them. The gearbox needs lube. I am leaning towards NLGI 0 or Corn Head Lube.

 

I see that this is different than the power steering gears used from the late fifties up that I am familiar with.
What does the service manual say about the lube to use?
What is "Corn Head Lube"?

 

They say its got the consistency of apple sauce. NLGI 0 flows more than a NLGI 2. Its like if you mixed chassis grease and 90W oil. I ordered a couple of tubes, it's what I came up with in my research. The service manual says on page 5-26, step 26, "Fill steering gear HOUSING with steering gear lubricant and install filler plug."

 

Topped it off a couple of times after I drove it, seems perfect, gearbox feels smooth. Now I have an extra tube of this that will sit in my garage until I die, LOL.