Penrite steering lube

[R Sotardi #11719]

Does any one use Penrite steering lube in there manual steering cars?  Did you find that it cause more steering effort than before? According to Penrite is is an equivalent to a 1200w oil. Ron

[Steve Passmore]

I use it in all my cars, never had a problem and never had a leaking steering box.

[Jay Friedman]

Had a bad leak in my '49's steering box and switched to Penrite.  Leak is way down, but not completely eliminated.  Steers as well as ever.

[TonyZappone #2624]

Have used it for years.  Little hard to get in sometime, but works great. 

[Steve Passmore]

You just need to stand it in boiling water Tony, flows lovely then.

[R Sotardi #11719]

Thanks. Is it necessary to get all the existing lube out of the  box, or just let it run out, then add Penrite?

[Jay Friedman]

I first drained my steering box before putting in the Penrite.

[R Sotardi #11719]

Jay, how did you drain the steering box? Did you loosen the 4 bolts at the end plate just enough to let the oil  (STP / 600w oil) drain down? Did you need to flush some kerosene through?

[Jay Friedman]

Ron,

To get the Penrite lube in my '49's steering box, I first raised the front wheels off the ground and took off the left front wheel to provide better access to the steering box.  I previously had 80/90 gear oil in the box and drained it by removing the lower inboard bolt on the end cover of the box.  I didn't flush kerosene through it, though in hindsight maybe I should have.  After replacing the bolt, I squirted the Penrite lube into the box.  To get it to settle I turned the steering wheel from side to side a couple of times between squirts.  One bottle was not enough to fill it completely, so I used part of a 2nd bottle.  It took several days before the lube totally settled, so I checked the box after every drive and topped it up.  As I mentioned, it still leaks a little, so I check the level every couple of months. 

I guess the remaining small leak could be fixed with new seals or whatever, but this would require removing the steering column from the car which is a big job.  (Among other things, on a '49 the turn signal wiring goes through the interior of the steering column which can be a nightmare to hook back up.)  It's easier to just monitor the lube level every couple of months, especially since my steering is smooth and tight with no play.

[TonyZappone #2624]

I never thought about draining the old lubricant.  I have topped off the steering box in at least four different cars over the years, and have never had trouble mixing the Penrite with whatever was in there before.

[Jay Friedman]

My steering box had been previously almost full of 80/90 weight oil , so I had to drain it to make room for the Penrite. 

[R Sotardi #11719]

I had 80/90w in the box for years , but there is a bit of seepage through the pitman arm seal. I have a new seal, but I understand that even a new seal will seep a bit. So last year I added  a mix of 140w & 25% STP What Model A Ford owners use. This is equivilant to 600w ( actual about modern 200w) Seepage slowed to just residue & no effect on steering.  I would think Penrite would eliminate any seepage. It's a hassel reaching down to check/ fill the box.