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Post by jaco1978 on May 13, 2011 19:00:41 GMT 2
Hi there everyone,
Today I managed to get some time and courage to tighten my steering box. I think I managed to do a proper job but I need to do one thing yet. That is to check the oil level in it. One thing I could not get an answer to is what oil (grade/quality) needs to go in there or is best. Any ideas?
As soon as I finished the air filter casinf fitment to the carbi I will take her for a run and see how she goes.
Happy Lada day to all,
Jaco
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Post by jaco1978 on May 13, 2011 19:01:26 GMT 2
Oh...
One more thing: Before, on bumpy roads, it felt like my Lada swerved (want to do it's own thing), like drifting sideways. My sterring was quite loose. As I mentioned I tightened it up now, but would this be a loose-steering-box-only thing? Or should I look for something else as well?
T'nx,
Jaco
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Post by ronnie on May 13, 2011 19:02:33 GMT 2
Hi Jaco
Fill it with ep90. If it leaks fill it with cv joint grease.
Ronnie
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Post by jaco1978 on May 13, 2011 19:05:34 GMT 2
Awsome, t'nx Ronnie.
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Post by ronnie on May 13, 2011 19:08:26 GMT 2
Hi Jaco
Check the steering idler is also tight, on the opposite side to the steering box. Mine failed the roadworthy because it was not tight. I only managed to tighten it 2 flats and it then passed.
Ronnie
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Post by jaco1978 on May 13, 2011 19:11:46 GMT 2
T'nx again Ronnie. I hope to find some time soon and check it out.
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 13, 2011 19:16:10 GMT 2
Hi Jaco
The steering boxes normally leak. 85W90 or the same as your GB TC and Diffs. when I put the "new" one in it will have grease in.
Ari
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 14, 2011 9:45:32 GMT 2
Eish. You okes .... As the steering boz uses a work and nut you should use an EP oil for "severe hypoid" drives. The SAE 90 or ISO 150 VG will be the recommended viscosity. Remeber to check that the oil will not stain the bronze gears.
Should you decide to go the grease option it should an NLGI 00 or 000 (a runny grease) we use a product on industrial gearboxes on breweries etc where they have a leakage problem
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on May 14, 2011 9:51:27 GMT 2
Eish. You okes .... As the steering boz uses a work and nut you should use an EP oil for "severe hypoid" drives. The SAE 90 or ISO 150 VG will be the recommended viscosity. Remeber to check that the oil will not stain the bronze gears. Should you decide to go the grease option it should an NLGI 00 or 000 (a runny grease) we use a product on industrial gearboxes on breweries etc where they have a leakage problem Hi Vincent The manual says SAE 85W90 (-12 - +45 deg) API GL5 Steering box 0.18 L Ari
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 14, 2011 17:42:08 GMT 2
Hi Ari
The message I previously wrote looks like I was on drugs or something.
Let me properly explain the term "Severe hypoid" - Many of the LOCSA owners may still use API GL4 gear lubricants. The reason for the manual specifying API GL5 is that the steering box uses a worm and nut which requires a very specific lubricant formulation. API GL5 meets the worm / severe hypoid performance requirements. Using and API GL4 will result in elevated wear rates of the steering components. As part of the continuing education of LOCSA members on lubricants and their evaluation for use on their Lada's I would like them to be aware of the lubricants that they fill their cherished vehicles with.
In a previous post members have also mentioned that they filled their steeing boxes with grease. This can be done, but the grease stiffness is ultra important in that we want the grease to behave like an oil, but not leak out the steering box.
To use an oil is however preferable to using a grease.
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Post by marius on May 14, 2011 17:56:15 GMT 2
Hi Vincent and all
I used to have normal GL-5 oil in my box for years but I could never get enough oil into it as it always leaked.
What I have in the box now is a good mix of the remaining gear oil and some CV grease mixed with some LM grease. Vincent that would probably make your hair stand on end but I am quite comfortable with the sloppy mix ;D
Marius
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Post by jaco1978 on May 14, 2011 18:21:59 GMT 2
I think my head is spinning. ;D But thank you for the input everyone.
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Post by Charles on May 14, 2011 18:47:05 GMT 2
Marius the mix in yours sounds almost like mine except for the cv grease. Poured as much diff oil in as it will take them pumped it full of lm grease. What a difference from before. If it breakes I will just have to fit a steering rack...
Charles
P.s Or I could always steal Ari's second steering box.
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Post by ronnie on May 14, 2011 18:51:47 GMT 2
Hi Marius
Mine also leaks so it is filled with CV grease. If you want to get all the old oil out here is a very messy way. Remove the top of the steering box and using your compressor and air gun blow it all out. There is only two things to do now apart from filling the box with grease and replacing the top, wash the engine bay and then have a shower ;D
Ronnie
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Post by marius on May 14, 2011 18:58:46 GMT 2
Sounds like you had some fun Ronnie ;D
Marius
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Post by marius on May 14, 2011 19:14:39 GMT 2
Hi Charles
Let's hope it never it never goes bust - but yes I would also seriously look into a steering rack option if it ever happens.
Marius
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Stefan
Full Niva Petrol Head
It's a-LADA fun! LADA - Niva give up!
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Post by Stefan on May 14, 2011 19:31:07 GMT 2
I was going to ask a question about the steering box as my Niva's started leaking after I had the flat tyre. I actuallly though that I did some damageto the steering box... My NIVA was certainly NOT leaking oil for about three weeks after I aquired her. After the flat tyre @ Elephant Hill she started leakng oil from the small box (way up in there). I saw some oil on the garage floor (by the way, you can eat of my garage floor, so I notice even the smallest drop). I really was dissapointed as I though I've broken something seriously. The comment that states that this is a common 'issue', actually putws my mind at rest, as I think the leak was delayed from all the valets I did on my Niva (took her for a FULL valet each time after a trip). The real question is: "What do I do to fix this". It's not a lot of oil - only a few drops after each trip, and not really leaking if not used. I could use some advise, please guys, THANKS v
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Post by Charles on May 14, 2011 20:20:27 GMT 2
Try using a thicker oil.
Charles
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Post by ronnie on May 14, 2011 21:56:26 GMT 2
Hi Stefan
Clean the box nicely and see if you can see exactly where the oil is coming from. I used to notice the adjusting screw has a key way and the only thing stopping the oil leaking here when you are moving is the washer which locates in the key way. I used to see a small amount of oil here. I think this will continue until the oil is low enough. Wait and see if there is more comments from members.
Ronnie
Ronnie
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Post by marius on May 15, 2011 8:26:41 GMT 2
Well I complained that my steering was squeaking heavily and the guys in Cape Town apparently cut a small piece of something away to improve the squeak. Since then I was not able to get the correct amount of oil into the box without leaking all over the place. naturally I was assured by the guys in Cape Town that it would be just fine I read on the Baxter Website that it is recommended to fill a leaky box with grease - and so I did. I think mixing it up with a little bit of oil can actually be a good thing. You will still get some of the mixture leaking initially but it will soon settle nicely in the box. Marius
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 15, 2011 15:42:04 GMT 2
Hi Vincent and all I used to have normal GL-5 oil in my box for years but I could never get enough oil into it as it always leaked. What I have in the box now is a good mix of the remaining gear oil and some CV grease mixed with some LM grease. Vincent that would probably make your hair stand on end but I am quite comfortable with the sloppy mix ;D Marius If I had hair ... Try get NLGI 00 or NLGI 000 EP grease. Then you get the slop without the hassle. Just an observation... All LHD Niva's have their steering box on the LHS of the car (DUH!) This is miles away from the exhaust manifold. My recommendation and this is a serious recommendation is to change the oil (for non leaky boxes) to the 85W-140 that you may use in your diffs. This ensures that the viscosity in use would be sufficiently high enough to protect the box.
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Post by hotstuff on May 15, 2011 16:57:58 GMT 2
Well I complained that my steering was squeaking heavily and the guys in Cape Town apparently cut a small piece of something away to improve the squeak. Since then I was not able to get the correct amount of oil into the box without leaking all over the place. naturally I was assured by the guys in Cape Town that it would be just fine I read on the Baxter Website that it is recommended to fill a leaky box with grease - and so I did. I think mixing it up with a little bit of oil can actually be a good thing. You will still get some of the mixture leaking initially but it will soon settle nicely in the box. Marius GUYS IN CAPE TOWN...............NOT FROM ME OR CAPE LADA DOCTOR I PRESUME AS THAT WOULD MAKE ME LOOK BAD!!!!!
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Post by marius on May 15, 2011 20:13:45 GMT 2
Don't worry Mike that was way before your time - these guys are thankfully not working on Ladas anymore.
Marius
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Post by jaco1978 on May 15, 2011 20:41:59 GMT 2
Try get NLGI 00 or NLGI 000 EP grease. Then you get the slop without the hassle. Which one is thicker?
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on May 15, 2011 22:37:33 GMT 2
The NLGI 00
But remember that you are trying to emulate oil but not have it run out. See what you can get though.
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Post by jaco1978 on May 17, 2011 23:27:32 GMT 2
Thanks Vincent. I'll try and take care of it ASAP.
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Post by jaco1978 on May 17, 2011 23:34:35 GMT 2
Well, after some nigh time parking lot mechanics (and watching a thunderstorm pass by) I managed to take her for a spin and the steering feels solid. I still need to check the oil levels and perhaps use some grease as there seem to be some leaking. I did clean it, so I will first see if the gunk that was on it might be from something else.
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Nikki Lada
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Post by Nikki Lada on Jun 13, 2011 7:34:39 GMT 2
Under a unrelated thread concerns relating to the non availability of R/H steering boxes were raised during the weekend and Mike indicated that he is now repairing them.
As this seems like good news to me I thought I would mention it in the appropriate thread so it can easily be found in the future.
Mike - can you give some indication of what the cost would be for this kind of repair?
Thanks a stack.
NIKKI
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Post by hotstuff on Jun 13, 2011 7:46:17 GMT 2
Hi NIKKI
It all depends on what is wrong with the box and what needs replacing or repair.
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Post by keithbatkins on Jun 21, 2011 16:03:26 GMT 2
Hi. I have been following the steering-box postings and despite not having a mechanical bone in my body decided to 'go for it'. Found the box....yippee. Undid the filler plug with an 8mm oe spanner. (So far so good). Using a funnel poured in the correct amount of SAE85W90 oil and replaced the filler plug. (Scarey that the full amount went in). Without overtightening it or stripping the thread....another major success. Awarded myself a large Scotch and retired in front of the TV for the evening. Next morning awoke to find a large pool of SAE85W90 under the NIVA......damn. Guess this means that the steeringbox seals leak.....I'm quite quick like that at times. So of to the store to buy some CV grease. I'm now looking at a tub of Castrol MS NLGI 2 Lithium multi purpose grease as I type this post. I also realised that my existing grease gun will never get into the filler hole as there are too many pipes and other "things" in the way. However the answer was at my local chemist in the form of a 50ml disposable syringe with catheter tip. Which fits perfectly and only cost ZAR9.....although I did get a funny look when I explained what I wanted it for. (Why do people get that blank look when you say that you own a LADA NIVA).
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