How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

I have looked through the service bulletins, but cannot find answers to a few questions, so I thought to ask here.

- How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant; should it be filled 'til it's at the bottom of the filler plug opening?

- Even with the steering gear end plate "tube" installed, is it possible to over-fill the steering box so that the lubricant overflows into the tube?

- When looking at the sketch or drawing in Bratton's 2013 catalog, page 25, under part number 5280, it looks as if too much liquid lubricant in the box will exceed the height of the "tube" and allow lubricant to leak out of the box and into the headlight/horn switch assembly. If this is correct, how do I make sure the box is full of lubricant without over-filling it?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

I do not have exact answers to your questions, but when I filled my 2 tooth, I filled it to the bottom of the filler threads. I did rock the steering back and forth to help the oil settle.

Checked the following morning and it settled down an additional 1/8" below the filler plug threads.

Left it there, and nothing has leaked out - that was about 4 weeks ago.

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Look at the bolt that clamps the upper worm bearing race to the housing. Oil can leak out from there, and I believe it is a bit below the filler opening.

Doug

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Thank you, stouchton, and Doug in NJ.

Doug - If the leak is from that bolt, can I simply remove it from the currently mounted to the frame steering box, coat it with permatex oil-resistance caulk and re-install the bolt?

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

It's not really the bolt that leaks, it's the joint between the housing and the bearing ace, especially the slot in the housing. I'm not sure if that can be sealed. It's probably better to not overfill it in the first place.

Doug

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Thanks, Doug.
I think I've found and fixed my steering box leak.
I've removed the steering housing end plate (with the attached pipe) and also scraped-off and removed the skinny paper gasket from the bottom of the steering box housing, made my own rubber gasket (from rubber roofing material), reassembled everything, and no more leaks. Simply gratifying.

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

I should have mentioned the reason I am so relieved to have fixed my steering box leak is because during removal of the bail wire and light switch assembly to get to the steering housing end plate, I discoved that my bakelite (probably plastic now) circular light switch itself, which is attached to a wiring harness, was drenched in thick steering box lubricant. This certainly could result in lighting/electrical problems; now that the switch is all cleaned-up and the leak is fixed, I can actually hear a "click" from the switch when turning the lights on and off. I had never heard that clicking sound before because the switch was immersed in thick steering box lubricant; it was just a sluggish switch action with a sublte and quiet detente. Hopefully, my steering box leak is fixed and the light switch will stay dry for a while.

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

just keep an eye on the rubber gasket. usu. rubber and oil do not like each other

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Thanks for your reply, Pinstripe; you have a valid point about rubber gaskets and oil not being good to each other.

I did consider that, which is why I chose rubber roofing material; over many years I have determined that it is very durable. Furthermore, I coated both sides of my homemade rubber gasket with the special black-colored Permatex "oil resistant" gasket sealer. I'll bet that gasket will outlast me.

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

when replacing the old end plate with the new type with the pipe attached.....am I right that you no longer use the cupped washer and cork/rubber seal any longer?

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Try using PennRite steering box lube. It DOESN"T leak. FWIW
Paul in CT

Re: How do I know when the steering box is full of lubricant?
 

Dear rob63mess - I regret that I cannot answer your question because my car came to me with the pipe/end plate already mounted.

Dear Paul in CT - Thanks for the tip about PennRite; I've got John Deere corn-head grease, which is a grease but flows like a slow liquid; I understand the PennRite steering box lube and corn-head grease have nearly identical characteristics.