I'm going on a trip next week in my '63 Valiant, and I figure I should give everything a once over to minimize the chance of occupying an emergency lane along the way. The only thing that I don't know how to do to prepare is where to check the steering box fluid, how to tell if it's low, and if it ends up being low, what I'm supposed to fill it with. Does anyone know?

Thanks again for all your help

With power steering, there is a cap on the pump. You want to check it with the engine running. There is a stick on the cap with a "fill line". Fluid should be up to that line. Chrysler used power steering fluid and transmission fluid in the pumps. If the fluid is red, use AT fluid. If not, use PS fluid.

Chuck


webmaster@omnipages.com

If you have power steering do as Chuck suggested. If you have manual steering then you would check the lubricant by removing the filler plug on the top of the gearbox and insuring that the lubricant is covering the worm gear. If not add Multi-Purpose Gear oil SAE 90 or Sure-Grip Hypoid Gear Oil.

Bob D


BBobbias@aol.com

I wouldn't put SAE 90 or the Hypoid gear oil in if you have a manual gearbox. The box was packed from the factory with a very heavy grease that was even thicker than wheel bearing grease. The factory service manual recommends steering gear lubricant or multi-purpose grease. I have used the SAE 90 before and unless your lower seal is in perfect shape it will leak right out.

The lubricant recommended by Chrysler changed over the years. In '62 it was "steering wheel grease", but in '63 it was "multi-purpose gear lubricant" (80 Wt. if above -30 degrees F) which was also recommended for the differential (w/o sure grip). By '69 it was either "multi-purpose gear oil" (SAE 90) or "Sure-Grip lubricant". If your steering box on your '63 is noticeably leaking I would use the grease as Joel suggests. But, if it isn't noticeably leaking I would use the SAE 90 multi-purpose gear oil.

Bob D



BBobbias@aol.com