Can anyone tell me what the best lubricant is for the Datsun 1600 steering box?

I have dis assembled and replaced all necessary components but not sure wat the best lube is!

does it say anything in your gregorys or similar manual?
that will probably have your answer

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120Y Coupe- longest build ever!

Oil capacity, 0.33L
Oil grade, SAE 90 EP

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Regards, Graeme
Just trying to help...
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/
graemes@internode.on.net

Thanks for the responses guys - now Ive got that, I thought I should replace the 2 bearings - they have fine pitting on the outer edges where oil had been sitting for a long period.

Went to the local bearing stor in Sydney and was told - I was dreaming - no such thing is available!!!!

Is this true or should I be looking elsewhwre - any pointers please!!!

tried nissan?
or just taken the bearings into the shop to find a match. they only need ID OD and thickness don't they?

don't tell them what it's for as they lose interest pretty quick, just ask them for the bearings required.

dad did that when i was just a lad for new bearings for my skateboard. best bearings any of my mates had and cost me $8.00 compared to the $50 my mates had shelled out for a set.

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120Y Coupe- longest build ever!

ive been looking at this as well over the last couple of days as well

i don't know much about bearings but the bearings in the steering box are different to any i have seen. They are sort of similar to a tapered roller bearing in that they separate (not sealed) but with balls instead of rollers would you be able to use a normal sealed bearing or a tapered roller bearing as a replacement??

thanks
levi

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It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.

Best bet is to take the old ones to a proper bearing shop as suggested.

In my time restoring vintage bikes, I only ever came across one bearing I couldn't get either an identical replacement for or something similar that would do the job.

Usually way cheaper than buying them from spare parts places too

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

Well - I have taken everyones advice and went to 3 maor bearing suppliers to see if they could help - NO LUCK!!!!

Looks like I am out of ideas other than machining the components and fitting new sleeve type bearings.

Thanks all for the help though!!

do you have some pics?

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120Y Coupe- longest build ever!

I will try and get ome close up pics tonight and post them - if I can work out how to post on here!!!

Any ideas whether grease is better than oil? I was thinking that grease would be better since it cant really leak, at least not as bad as oil would.

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Sam-U-El/Racer135
1973 B110 - http://ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=21539
1972 B110
1978 120Y sdn
1973 B120 - dead
1971 VB110 4dr - sold
Others:
1995 Proton Wira - daily sh#tbox

you would not believe how much trouble we had sourcing these bearings.
Our major bearing supplier rep, whom we have known for many years went out of his way to locate
these bearings for use. They came from Japan and going by the packets they were
made a long time past. Bloody expensive things.
we have both upper & lower seals in stock as well.
Reconditioning these boxes is getting difficult as on 40% of the boxes we now get in for
repairs the worm gear is badly worn where the lower bearing sits.
We have no economical fix for this problem as yet.
Quite a few boxes show internal rust due to water ingress past the top seal.

re lubicant.
I have been using a mix of moly grease & EP oil about as thick as honey.
apply grease to needle roller bearings on assembly.

Note that if the top bearing is badly worn the ball cage can crack allowing the balls
to fall out of the cage & the balls can jam the worm causing the steering to lock.
It has happend to one car I know of in aus & a couple in the States.

we average one rebuild a week.

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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
www.datsport.com

"R.I.P. Baz. 29 April 2022. Thank you for all your contributions to the Datsun community over the years. You will be missed." - OZDAT

What about just straight lith-tac grease?

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Sam-U-El/Racer135
1973 B110 - http://ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=21539
1972 B110
1978 120Y sdn
1973 B120 - dead
1971 VB110 4dr - sold
Others:
1995 Proton Wira - daily sh#tbox

do you have the pics and some measurements? ID, OD and height?
I don't mind having a bit of a search for some replacements... it may lead nowhere, but can't hurt.