Re: Manual Steering Box

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2008/3/26 8:59:04

Speaking as a retired chemist let me clarify what has been said about the effect of heat, use and/or age on the characteristics of ethylene glycol-based antifreeze. Neither age nor use nor temperature experience change the molecular structure of EG and hence they don't change the compound's freezing and boiling points, nor that of its mixtures with water. However the same can't be said for the additive packages which protect against corrosion and ethylene glycol in the absence of these additives can be quite corrosive to certain metals, these additives are actually consumed in the process of performing their tasks. Thus it's foolish and potentially expensive down the road to not change it at least every other year. While the same analogy doesn't hold for lubricants like gear oil, simple examination doesn't reveal the presence of condensed water vapor and particulates and again it's my recommendation that they be changed at regular intervals, though perhaps not the same intervals as were recommended for cars in every day service. I'd never return a used lubricant to service unless in the rare case that it was just changed previously and I had collected it in a clean container in order to effect some repair or service. The cost is so trivial compared to the consequences of damage. If we can't afford a couple of gallons of antifreeze and a couple of pints of gear oil, perhaps this isn't the hobby for us.