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Technical Pesky steering box leaks due to heat

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by 51cambridge, Jan 18, 2015.

  1. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    I did some searching around here and hoping someone has some new ideas. My 51 Cambridge has the header close to the box. Yes its wrapped. Leaks when hot only. using heavy gear oil in it now. Next step STP. STP mixed with grease? Any ideas appreciated.
     
  2. rocketsled59
    Joined: Mar 14, 2010
    Posts: 811

    rocketsled59
    Member

    Leaky manual steering gear? We pumped em full of grease. Quit leaking.
     
    belair likes this.
  3. trollst
    Joined: Jan 27, 2012
    Posts: 2,108

    trollst
    Member

    Has the box got a vent? Could be getting warm and pressuring up.
     
  4. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    No no vent. When hot, drips out the bottom. Cools down stops driping. Boy that gear oil stinks when it hits exhaust.
     

  5. Used to chassis lube in them.
     
  6. GM used grease on some of their stuff.

    Try adding a vent, to start with.
    When the air inside heats up, it has to go somewhere.
     
  7. vtx1800
    Joined: Oct 4, 2009
    Posts: 1,709

    vtx1800
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Try a product called "corn head grease", your local John Deere Ag store should stock it (at least in the midwest) that's what I will be putting in the steering box of the shoe box in the avatar.
     
    tb33anda3rd, Saxman and squirrel like this.
  8. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    A small stainless steel home made heatsheild would really help you.
     
  9. Fill it with grease, did it to my 41 cross-steer box, doesn't leak a drop.
     
  10. stimpy
    Joined: Apr 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,546

    stimpy

    heat sheild a inch from it ( either the box or the header to keep the heat from radiating to it , wrap just holds heat in ) and also to scoop some air around it while you drive . but I would look to see if there is a vent on it thats plugged up on the top side it could be a bolt thats drilled out or a plain hole in the case .
     
  11. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Thanks everyone, get a good look when the weather breaks. Like march. Was also thinking a shield, might be a tight fit
     
    indyjps likes this.
  12. Drilled a whole in the plate on my vega box and installed a zerk fitting, pumped it full.
     
    32 HROD and belair like this.
  13. If it is a Vega box, the bolt on the top left side goes into the grease cavity.

    I drilled that bolt from the bottom to almost the top, and then drilled through one of the flats on the head to the center hole that I drilled up from the bottom.

    That is my vent for my box, and the lube is not forced out past the seals due to heat.
     
  14. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Well I'm thinking drilling vent in the fill plug.
     
  15. stimpy
    Joined: Apr 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,546

    stimpy

    take a good look at the fill plug it might have a vent in it just might be clogged with crap from over the years
     
  16. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Everything clean on top, no vent anywhere
     
  17. George G
    Joined: Jun 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,274

    George G
    Member

    I replaced the gear oil in my manual steering box with cv joint grease. Cv joints operate in extreme conditions so use in a steering box is a natural.
    No more leaks


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  18. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    I've been using CV grease lately in manual steering gears, too. No corn head grease available in my area. If you use normal chassis grease (NGLI #2) it won't flow into the moving parts like it needs too, and the box might wear out after a while, I've seen this happen.

    Good luck!
     
    belair likes this.
  19. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Yes squirrel, ive been reading that.
     
  20. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    How about wheel bearing grease topped off with Stp?
     
  21. Mobile used to make a high heat 90 weight gear lube I believe was rated to over 500 deg. Some of the synthetics that are on the market may have a high heat rating also
     
  22. Jimmy2car
    Joined: Nov 26, 2003
    Posts: 1,707

    Jimmy2car
    Member
    from No. Cal

  23. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Definatly adding vent
     
  24. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Mobilith SHC 007 is a semi solid synthetic grease that will flow into gears but is thick enough not to leak out seals. That along with a vent and heat shield. You can also try painting the side of the steering box toward the header white or silver to reflect heat and the side away from the header black to radiate heat.

    http://www.ulei-mobil.ro/pdf/MobilIndustrieDataSheet/Mobilith SHC 007 pds.pdf
     
  25. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Hum only can find it in 35 pound pale. $285
     
  26. Perfect. That should last you a few hundred years


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  27. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

  28. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    I also use corn head grease, any John Deere dealer will have it or can get it.
     
    Flat Six Fix likes this.
  29. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Finally got to work on it, drilled a vent in filler cap. Seems to relieve some heat. Have some fluid comming out of it when hot.
     
  30. 51cambridge
    Joined: Jan 16, 2015
    Posts: 107

    51cambridge
    Member

    Don't see anyway to make a heat shield. Header is an inch from the box.
     

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