The Ford Barn

katy · 08-02-2015, 10:05 AM

I know "the books" say not to use grease. At least grease won't leak out like oil does. I used grease one time in a '69 Ford 1/2 ton, had it for a few years and never had a problem w/it.
Anyone have experience using grease or comments about this?

Jim Brierley · 08-02-2015, 10:11 AM

I often put in grease but also a little gear oil for added fluidity.

1931 flamingo · 08-02-2015, 10:14 AM

PennRite steering box lube, try it. No leaky.
Paul in CT

available from Restoration Specalties
Escondido, CA They have a web site.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-02-2015, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

I often put in grease but also a little gear oil for added fluidity.

I do the same as Jim.
Mystik JT-6 High Temp grease is very sticky, and I have no doubt the gears stay lubricated.

Redbird · 08-02-2015, 11:50 AM

53-62 Corvettes were told to use chassis grease per GM bulletin. I used it in mine with no problems. Can't see what it would hurt.

700rpm · 08-02-2015, 12:54 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Chassis grease will eventually work its way to the edges of the steering box and then there will be no more lubrication. If that sounds like the right kind of service for your car, go for it. If you want to do it right, use 600w or PennRite.

Mitch//pa · 08-02-2015, 12:55 PM

i use straight 600w ... no leaks because my boxes are rebuilt... the best of both worlds

wrndln · 08-02-2015, 01:20 PM

This has been brought up several times before. There is a product John Deere makes called corn head grease. It is a thick oil/grease that is supposed to cling to the gears, but is thick enough to not leak out as much as oil will, even 600W oil. It comes in "caulking tube" containers. If you do a search on "corn head" you can find a number of post and responses about corn head grease. I have some, but have never used it, as I solved my leaking steering column using 600W oil before needing to use it.
Rusty Nelson

burner31 · 08-02-2015, 03:13 PM

600W...all the way

larrys40 · 08-02-2015, 04:11 PM

I'm in the camp with Mitch.. I would not use grease as it works its way away from the mating wear points..... I would prefer a well rebuilt/properly sealed gearbox with the 600. I haven't had any experience with the Pennrite or Corn Head but would be interested in a comparison.
Larry Shepard

Tom Wesenberg · 08-02-2015, 06:09 PM

About 20 years ago I was surprised to learn that a lot of riding lawn mowers use grease in the transmissions rather than gear oil. It's greased when assembled and there is no provision for adding grease without taking it apart again. I figure if the fast spinning tranny can take it, my slow turning steering will survive. If I use gear oil it will all be gone in a day or two, so I'll keep adding grease and gear oil until I rebuild it.

glenn in camino · 08-02-2015, 07:30 PM

I mix chassis grease with 600w. Works ok, no leaks

Mike V. Florida · 08-02-2015, 11:27 PM

Where is it leaking? There are two easy methods fix the leaks,

Steering shaft retainer with tube, to keep the oil from leaking out the bottom.

Sector "O" ring and retainer to keep the oil from leaking out the sector housing.

western77 · 08-03-2015, 06:08 AM

I use John Deere corn head grease and a little 600w. It works fine. JB

Bob Bidonde · 08-03-2015, 07:34 AM

Since 1962 I have been using synthetic grease and a small amount of synthetic hypoid gear oil in the steering of my Coupe and it works well. Put the grease in first because it will significantly reduce oil leakage.

Steering requires a lubricant with a high squeeze-out property. Synthetic lubricants meet this requirement.

updraught · 08-03-2015, 07:48 AM

Video of corn head grease in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwk_sYP6A8

George Miller · 08-03-2015, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I do the same as Jim.
Mystik JT-6 High Temp grease is very sticky, and I have no doubt the gears stay lubricated.

I do the same thing also.

Chris H · 08-03-2015, 12:27 PM

Just a word of caution; the JD Corn head grease is a poly urea based grease. The Penn Rite grease is lithium based. I seem to recall that the two soap bases are not compatible with one another. I don't know about compatibility between the 600W and the poly urea. Incompatibility between greases can cause some nasty issues. Just my 2 cents worth.
Would be interested in hearing if anyone else may have experience in this.
Chris

jmaotto · 08-03-2015, 01:32 PM

I am using corn head grease in the steering box of my Ford 8N tractor. Working good for a few years.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-03-2015, 02:15 PM

Minervas' rebuilt steering box was about 2/3 full of a clear grease, apparently pumped in from the lower grease fitting. I topped it off with Valvoline 70-90W, synthetic gear oil. After a week of driving, it got EASIER & EASIER! On a quick 90 degree turn, the steering would return to straight, ALMOST un-assisted!
Bill W.

08-02-2015, 10:05 AM	#1
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,716	Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I know "the books" say not to use grease. At least grease won't leak out like oil does. I used grease one time in a '69 Ford 1/2 ton, had it for a few years and never had a problem w/it. Anyone have experience using grease or comments about this? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-02-2015, 10:11 AM	#2
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,251	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I often put in grease but also a little gear oil for added fluidity.

08-02-2015, 10:14 AM	#3
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? PennRite steering box lube, try it. No leaky. Paul in CT available from Restoration Specalties Escondido, CA They have a web site.

08-02-2015, 11:50 AM	#5
Redbird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 536	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? 53-62 Corvettes were told to use chassis grease per GM bulletin. I used it in mine with no problems. Can't see what it would hurt.

08-02-2015, 12:54 PM	#6
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Chassis grease will eventually work its way to the edges of the steering box and then there will be no more lubrication. If that sounds like the right kind of service for your car, go for it. If you want to do it right, use 600w or PennRite. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

08-02-2015, 12:55 PM	#7
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? i use straight 600w ... no leaks because my boxes are rebuilt... the best of both worlds

08-02-2015, 01:20 PM	#8
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,300	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? This has been brought up several times before. There is a product John Deere makes called corn head grease. It is a thick oil/grease that is supposed to cling to the gears, but is thick enough to not leak out as much as oil will, even 600W oil. It comes in "caulking tube" containers. If you do a search on "corn head" you can find a number of post and responses about corn head grease. I have some, but have never used it, as I solved my leaking steering column using 600W oil before needing to use it. Rusty Nelson

08-02-2015, 03:13 PM	#9
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,479	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? 600W...all the way __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

08-02-2015, 04:11 PM	#10
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 2,032	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I'm in the camp with Mitch.. I would not use grease as it works its way away from the mating wear points..... I would prefer a well rebuilt/properly sealed gearbox with the 600. I haven't had any experience with the Pennrite or Corn Head but would be interested in a comparison. Larry Shepard

08-02-2015, 06:09 PM	#11
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? About 20 years ago I was surprised to learn that a lot of riding lawn mowers use grease in the transmissions rather than gear oil. It's greased when assembled and there is no provision for adding grease without taking it apart again. I figure if the fast spinning tranny can take it, my slow turning steering will survive. If I use gear oil it will all be gone in a day or two, so I'll keep adding grease and gear oil until I rebuild it.

08-02-2015, 07:30 PM	#12
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I mix chassis grease with 600w. Works ok, no leaks

08-02-2015, 11:27 PM	#13
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Where is it leaking? There are two easy methods fix the leaks, Steering shaft retainer with tube, to keep the oil from leaking out the bottom. Sector "O" ring and retainer to keep the oil from leaking out the sector housing. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

08-03-2015, 06:08 AM	#14
western77 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Posts: 168	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I use John Deere corn head grease and a little 600w. It works fine. JB

08-03-2015, 07:34 AM	#15
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,114	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Since 1962 I have been using synthetic grease and a small amount of synthetic hypoid gear oil in the steering of my Coupe and it works well. Put the grease in first because it will significantly reduce oil leakage. Steering requires a lubricant with a high squeeze-out property. Synthetic lubricants meet this requirement. __________________ Bob Bidonde

08-03-2015, 07:48 AM	#16
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 2,143	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Video of corn head grease in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwk_sYP6A8

08-03-2015, 12:27 PM	#18
Chris H Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wood River, IL Posts: 119	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Just a word of caution; the JD Corn head grease is a poly urea based grease. The Penn Rite grease is lithium based. I seem to recall that the two soap bases are not compatible with one another. I don't know about compatibility between the 600W and the poly urea. Incompatibility between greases can cause some nasty issues. Just my 2 cents worth. Would be interested in hearing if anyone else may have experience in this. Chris

08-03-2015, 01:32 PM	#19
jmaotto Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 15	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? I am using corn head grease in the steering box of my Ford 8N tractor. Working good for a few years.

08-03-2015, 02:15 PM	#20
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Can I use chassis grease in the 7 tooth steering gear box? Minervas' rebuilt steering box was about 2/3 full of a clear grease, apparently pumped in from the lower grease fitting. I topped it off with Valvoline 70-90W, synthetic gear oil. After a week of driving, it got EASIER & EASIER! On a quick 90 degree turn, the steering would return to straight, ALMOST un-assisted! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"