The Ford Barn

Contenderizer · 03-30-2013, 03:08 PM

I have been doing some front-end work on a 29 Tudoor I recently purchased, and in the course of doing, I realized that the fill plug on my 2 Tooth assembly has been replaced with a grease fitting. What's up with that?

Is this commonly done, or did someone take a shortcut because the assembly was leaking fluid? Any ideas?

Patrick L. · 03-30-2013, 03:20 PM

The grease fitting is fairly common. 'Back in the day' garages filled a dedicated grease gun with the required heavy oil and just pumped a bit in the steering when servicing. It made the job faster and cleaner.

Jazzjr · 03-30-2013, 03:24 PM

I have found this done to many steering boxes, probably they leaked out the 600w oil that is supposed to be in them, worn bushings. And some may have used 90 or 140 gear lube to fill them and they still leaked, that they may have used a Zerk fitting, and a seprate gun to fill.
So they thought Grease would work, also they my have lost the Plug and used a 1/4 NPT grease fitting to block off the Hole. I use Pennrite steering box oil, in my box, no leaks and sticks to all parts inside box.

Contenderizer · 03-30-2013, 03:28 PM

If you have a grease fitting on the box, how do you fill same without blowing seals? I guess I should pull the fitting and try to see what's in the box now; 600w oil or grease.

Patrick L. · 03-30-2013, 04:54 PM

If the box is full of grease, just try and dig as much of it out as you can and just fill with at least 250 weight oil. The two will eventually mix and it'll probably leak a bit. Its an old Ford, it'll mark its territory.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-30-2013, 06:52 PM

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The steering box had no seals to blow. I'm pretty sure the factory used grease fittings on the box for at least 28 and 29 A's. I wouldn't worry about any grease in the box, just squirt in the heavy gear oil and it will fill the voids. The grease will help keep the gear oil in.

700rpm · 03-30-2013, 07:50 PM

They came from the factory with the zerk fitting until October of 1929; after that Ford used a plug. The FSB repeatedly say "do not use grease in the steering box; use only 600W".

03-30-2013, 03:08 PM	#1
Contenderizer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: N Central Florida Posts: 23	Steering Gear Assembly Question I have been doing some front-end work on a 29 Tudoor I recently purchased, and in the course of doing, I realized that the fill plug on my 2 Tooth assembly has been replaced with a grease fitting. What's up with that? Is this commonly done, or did someone take a shortcut because the assembly was leaking fluid? Any ideas?

03-30-2013, 03:20 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question The grease fitting is fairly common. 'Back in the day' garages filled a dedicated grease gun with the required heavy oil and just pumped a bit in the steering when servicing. It made the job faster and cleaner.

03-30-2013, 03:24 PM	#3
Jazzjr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Crown Point, NY and Punta Gorda, FL. Posts: 259	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question I have found this done to many steering boxes, probably they leaked out the 600w oil that is supposed to be in them, worn bushings. And some may have used 90 or 140 gear lube to fill them and they still leaked, that they may have used a Zerk fitting, and a seprate gun to fill. So they thought Grease would work, also they my have lost the Plug and used a 1/4 NPT grease fitting to block off the Hole. I use Pennrite steering box oil, in my box, no leaks and sticks to all parts inside box.

03-30-2013, 03:28 PM	#4
Contenderizer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: N Central Florida Posts: 23	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question If you have a grease fitting on the box, how do you fill same without blowing seals? I guess I should pull the fitting and try to see what's in the box now; 600w oil or grease.

03-30-2013, 04:54 PM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question If the box is full of grease, just try and dig as much of it out as you can and just fill with at least 250 weight oil. The two will eventually mix and it'll probably leak a bit. Its an old Ford, it'll mark its territory.

03-30-2013, 06:52 PM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The steering box had no seals to blow. I'm pretty sure the factory used grease fittings on the box for at least 28 and 29 A's. I wouldn't worry about any grease in the box, just squirt in the heavy gear oil and it will fill the voids. The grease will help keep the gear oil in.

03-30-2013, 07:50 PM	#7
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,909	Re: Steering Gear Assembly Question They came from the factory with the zerk fitting until October of 1929; after that Ford used a plug. The FSB repeatedly say "*do not use grease in the steering box; use only 600W". __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.*