Hot Rods Leaking Steering boxes

I've always used CV grease mixed with 90 weight oil, just a bit more fluid than double cream, works for me.

 

I don't suggest putting grease in a power steering box..

 

I just went to the site link provided by 29 Nash and ordered 3 tubes of the cornhead grease. The video was enough to convince me!
I'm an Amsoil dealer and they have a similar grease available, but the smallest size is a 35# tub. Way too much for me!
Dave

 

It'll leak if the seals are anything less than perfect.

 

You can get it in Wilcox, the building behind the DQ, ask for scooter...

He has it.

He was there 10 years ago anyway....

 

I'd like to think he was speaking in jest, or sarcasm, but you never know.

 

I hope you are right!!

 

I'll suggest that it's more likely than not, a 60 year old steering box that is worn out got that way from a lot of use, not necessarily due to lack of lubrication. Shit wears out.

 

You should be able to get that John Deere grease or equivilent at Tractor Supply....or uh....JOHN DEERE...
There are John Deere dealers EVERYWHERE....whether it's green or yellow gear.
It's a common grease used in many gearbox apps....like bushhogs and other implements.

I use Swepco grease....as it is a high pressue moly grease that is "stringy", it "clings" to the gears.

 

Swepco X 2!

Porsche recommended for steering boxes & transaxles, have used it religiously since schooled in Porsche, late '50s; also spec'd by BMW North Amer., early '60s.

Biggest reason I've seen for leakage in steering boxes at the seals (NEW seals!) is closeness of exhaust manifolds, headpipes, and headers. 1/4" seems to be the norm in tight quarters, so some added clearance is capital here! (and a deflector shield, just an aluminum plate bracketed to the box, to deflect air past the box) Anything less than 1/2" nets a trapped-air hot pocket in front of the firewall.

I had a few guys with Model A's, '32's, etc. come back with leaking F100 boxes, (they were rebuilt "carry-outs") so I insisted on seeing the applications after that. The heat would practically boil the fluid out when warm, the same scenario the Fords had at Indy in 1935, with much harsher results.

 

My steering boxes don't leak.
I use straight Power Punch in them and it results
in 10% easier steering effort.

 

The video sold me.... just ordered 6 tubes.
just in time too...

just rebuilt my box.

gonna put some in my walk behind mower gearbox too.

thanks much.

 

Jeep guys call it "pudding" and use it in front axle joints. Just chassis grease and gear oil mixed like someone already mentioned. Been around since WWII.

 

Do you have any part #'s or other info on which particular product you're using . That company makes a lot of different products .

 

Thread necromancer but I have been reading up on corn head grease. I ordered some for my weeping steering box. Would there be any issues with adding it to the box without draining the gear oil that is in there? There probably isn't much left anyways and I would just continue to watch it til it stops leaking and add some more corn head.

 

Thanks going to pick some up Monday for my vega box.

 

Snapper mowers use a 00 grease that is like corn head grease.

 

I've used the corn head grease in my 59 Power Wagon for years. And more recently in my 55 Chevy. Good stuff!

 

I'm just going to add it on top of the oil that is already in there this weekend.

 

i would think you could do that.

 

Thanks, I'm going to do it this weekend. That is if it's even warm enough to come out of the tube....

 

I use grease in my replica champ car, leaving just a smidgeon of gear oil in it to make all the internal surfaces slimy and clingy with oil. You can see the Zerk fitting I put in the oil fill plug on the top of the '50s era f1 pickup (Gemmer) box.



FWIW I also use it in the gearbox of my rototiller as the seals do not contain gear oil in that harsh, dirty environment.

Also, most dragster style boxes like P & S, S & W, use white grease in them.

 

I like to use extreme pressure (EP) grease with a NLGI rating of 00. It pours like thick honey and is very suited for the application, and is easily retained by the seals. Mobil Mobilux, Shell Alvania, and Chevron Delo lines all have an EP 00 product. And by the way, the JD Corn head grease is a NLGI 00 grease.

 

I put corn head grease in the front knuckles and steering box of my 52 Willys Jeep 2 years ago. I have no leaks from the knuckles or the steering box for the first time in years.

 

Rebuilt the 41 Ford box in my avatar a few years ago, never thought twice, filled it with axle grease, that's what we did many years ago, long before the internet.

 

I've always used a mix of good grease and 90 wt. The JD stuff sounds like it's worth a try. In my shop I noticed that most leakers had the exhaust real close to the box thereby heating the lube to a nice runny consistency like Atwater Mike said.
No matter what you put in 'em make sure the exhaust isn't overheating it.

 

Cotton picker grease is thinner than corn head grease if my memory serves me right. It is like jelly. Case and John Deere carry both.