Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

UniqueOdyssey68 · 04-05-2023, 04:47 PM

How/where do I check fluid and fill?
Gearbox installed, connected to steering column/wheel, but no other lines connected. This is so I can steer the wheels as it's pushed around on/off loading trailer or shop.
Or should I not worry about it?

Do these boxes ship empty? Or do they have some lubricant in them. This is a quick ratio PS rebuild box from ECE many years ago. Haven't done anything with it until now, putting the steering, column, firewall booster things together and mock up. Do I fill through the center top hole? The line ports where the red plastic plugs are? I do not see any other port or bolt hole on the sides or bottom. The 4 bolts on the top, is that the top cover?

Thanks for the tips and advice. I just don't want to "ruin" or grind this box when I'm only trying to push and steer it easier around the shop and when it goes to the exhaust shop soon.

54blackhornet · 04-05-2023, 05:57 PM

I would contact the remanufacture.

UniqueOdyssey68 · 04-05-2023, 06:46 PM

I have no idea who manufactured it. Bought from Early Classic over 10 years ago and they went out of business several years ago. No idea who to contact, no markings, or I would, that's usually what I do if I can't find something on this forum...

72SB · 04-05-2023, 07:03 PM

I believe they normally ship empty as on install you would need to bleed them after filling and turning the wheel back and forth with front wheels elevated. I don't think just pushing the truck around in shop will matter. If you wanted to you could "prime" it by just pouring fluid into the in port and put red plug back in.

**Richard** · 04-05-2023, 07:49 PM

There is no fluid level check on the steering box. It is part of a hydraulic system and fluid level would be checked at the reservoir after installing pump, lines and bleeding the system. I do not think any damage would come from just moving around a bit. If you are worried internals being dry add a little bit of fluid into one of the ports. Note that the box will puke anything out that you put in. Fluid goes in/out of the ports as the box moves.

**HO455** · 04-06-2023, 03:45 PM

Here are the bleeding instructions from Lares. With a new pump, lines, and steering box start at step 7.

https://www.larescorp.com/toolbox/te...-instructions/

v30crewcab · 04-06-2023, 08:43 PM

you will be fine moving it around empty. they have a bit of assembly lube in them.

04-05-2023, 04:47 PM	#1
UniqueOdyssey68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Idaho Posts: 73	Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question How/where do I check fluid and fill? Gearbox installed, connected to steering column/wheel, but no other lines connected. This is so I can steer the wheels as it's pushed around on/off loading trailer or shop. Or should I not worry about it? Do these boxes ship empty? Or do they have some lubricant in them. This is a quick ratio PS rebuild box from ECE many years ago. Haven't done anything with it until now, putting the steering, column, firewall booster things together and mock up. Do I fill through the center top hole? The line ports where the red plastic plugs are? I do not see any other port or bolt hole on the sides or bottom. The 4 bolts on the top, is that the top cover? Thanks for the tips and advice. I just don't want to "ruin" or grind this box when I'm only trying to push and steer it easier around the shop and when it goes to the exhaust shop soon. Attached Images __________________ - long term project '68 C10 true shortbed! Resto-mod. LS swap. Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=769919 "I've still kept this project truck when anyone else would've given up and sold it as is. Giving up is easy, staying the course is part of life's journey" ___________________________________________ '68 C10 true shortbed, LS swap restomod. '03 Z71 daily, '63 AMC Rambler V8 survivor

04-05-2023, 05:57 PM	#2
54blackhornet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 2,391	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question I would contact the remanufacture. __________________ 71 C-20 07 Magnum RT AWD

04-05-2023, 06:46 PM	#3
UniqueOdyssey68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Idaho Posts: 73	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question I have no idea who manufactured it. Bought from Early Classic over 10 years ago and they went out of business several years ago. No idea who to contact, no markings, or I would, that's usually what I do if I can't find something on this forum... __________________ - long term project '68 C10 true shortbed! Resto-mod. LS swap. Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=769919 "I've still kept this project truck when anyone else would've given up and sold it as is. Giving up is easy, staying the course is part of life's journey" ___________________________________________ '68 C10 true shortbed, LS swap restomod. '03 Z71 daily, '63 AMC Rambler V8 survivor

04-05-2023, 07:03 PM	#4
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 774	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question I believe they normally ship empty as on install you would need to bleed them after filling and turning the wheel back and forth with front wheels elevated. I don't think just pushing the truck around in shop will matter. If you wanted to you could "prime" it by just pouring fluid into the in port and put red plug back in.

04-05-2023, 07:49 PM	#5
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,881	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question There is no fluid level check on the steering box. It is part of a hydraulic system and fluid level would be checked at the reservoir after installing pump, lines and bleeding the system. I do not think any damage would come from just moving around a bit. If you are worried internals being dry add a little bit of fluid into one of the ports. Note that the box will puke anything out that you put in. Fluid goes in/out of the ports as the box moves. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

04-06-2023, 03:45 PM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,350	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question Here are the bleeding instructions from Lares. With a new pump, lines, and steering box start at step 7. https://www.larescorp.com/toolbox/te...-instructions/ __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

04-06-2023, 08:43 PM	#7
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: Steering Gearbox Simple Silly Question you will be fine moving it around empty. they have a bit of assembly lube in them. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535



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