Penrite steering box lube

[Derek UK]

Ron. Check out John Deere Corn Head Grease. Penrite may not be generally available in the USA. Older Jaguar steering boxes spec a 160 sae "oil".

[142 Guy]

As an observation, the vintage Volvo steering box is a worm and roller box. Volvo calls it a cam and roller box. I find the use of the term cam confusing because it sure looks like a worm to me. The important part is that it uses a roller, not a sector gear on the pitman arm shaft. Some 'worm and roller' boxes use a simple sector gear instead of a roller. I think the intent of the roller is that it has less friction than a sector gear - when it is properly adjusted.

Depending on how thick your Penrite lubricant is it may have problems getting into the guts of the roller mechanism. The recommended SAE 90 gear oil is quite flowable and probably lubricates the roller quite well allowing it to 'roll'. If the Penrite is thick enough that it does not flow out of a defective lower seal then it may be less effective at getting into and lubricating the roller interface.

If the Volvo box used a sector gear I would say 'have at it' with going the grease like route. However, the Volvo box does not use a sector gear. if you have a leaking seal I suggest that repair is the smarter option. Penrite strikes me a little too much like adding sawdust to the oil to fix a leak.

Replacement seals are available and with a seal puller you do not have to disassemble the box to replace the seal. A seal pick works if you don't mind drilling a small hole in the seal to jam the pick into and yanking. The biggest hassle is finding a suitably long driver to re install the seal with the shaft still in place. I think I had the box on my 140 in and out and the lower seal replaced in around 3 hours.

I think Penrite probably classifies as a bodge if you are trying to fix a leak.

[Dec]

Ive been using the Penrite semi-fluid lube in my steering box for past year, no leaks and feels smooth. No complaints so far.