Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1947 Oldsmobile, couple areas, quantity type

Question
When the car is running, grease will occasionally drip from behind the steering wheel. What is causing this? How can I stop it?

Answer
Gary,

I can think of a couple areas to check. Most will involve pulling the steering wheel, a procedure requiring a steering wheel puller. The tool and procedure is described in your Oldsmobile shop manual, something I recommend you get if you don't have one already.

In general, lubricant shouldn't "drip" from the steering column unless there's a heat source on the column (shorted wire, engine based heat like oil lines or exhaust manifold or ???) Both are possible but unlikely. Most likely the problem is lubricant based: quantity, type or age     

1) If the car's been restored, check to see if the proper type and amount of lubricant has been applied to the steering shaft.

2) Lubricant's can break down with age, getting hard or liquefying somewhat.

3) Bearings/seals on the upper part of the steering shaft could also be failing allowing lubricant to migrate around and/through

4) Or, as you know, this is an old car so causes could be (and likely are), a combination of the preceding.

So, the first step is to get access to the steering shaft (pull wheel), clean out any excess lube and try to see where it's coming from. Can't find it?? Clean well and reassemble. If it starts dripping again, you should be able to see more easily where it's coming from.

Sorry for the lack of definite repair but problems like this on an old car require the talents of a detective and the patience of Job sometimes. Just attack it in a stepwise fashion I suggest and you'll chase down the cause, I'm sure.

Best of luck on this fine car!

Bob