Zerk fitting question

[mike42]

I'm wanting to put a zerk fitting into the steering box lube hole plug so that I can just shoot grease into steering gear box rather than try to pour lube in. What size drill and tap for a standard zerk fitting should I use ?

Thx....Mike

[Karl Wolf]

The answer you're looking for is 1/8 pipe... It's about 5/16" or so. There is also a drive-in type fitting that uses a smaller hole, but I don't know the size.

You may want to look into "Corn head grease", thinner than chassis grease, still able to flow but thicker than gear oil. Chassis grease could in my opinion not lube the pinion bushings well enough.

Karl

[19Fordy]

Rather than messing up the filler plug threads, insert a zerk fitting and JB Weld it in place from the outside. When you remove the filler plug you will be able to measure the dia. and see which zerk will slip into the hole.
Another idea is to remove the filler plug, measure it's thread size and then get another bolt with the same threads and drill a through hole and then tap the bolt for a zerk fitting. Then reinstall the bolt with the zerk fitting. Of course you could drill and tap the OEM filler plug for a zerk fitting, but if you don't have an extra OEM filler plug you probably won't want to do that. I would try to avoid retapping the OEM hole so a to preserve its orginality.

[mike42]

Wolf and Fordy.....

I was able to obtain 2 extra plugs and I've drilled a 1/4" hole through the top center of one of them as you suggested. I bought a zerk fitting, but wanted to make sure I didn't drill a hole too big before tapping for the zerk. I just don't know the size of hole that should be drilled and which size tap to buy.

Thx....Mike

[jack orchard]

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

You may want to look into "Corn head grease", thinner than chassis grease, still able to flow but thicker than gear oil. Chassis grease could in my opinion not lube the pinion bushings well enough.

Karl

X2, John Deere Corn Head Grease

[MGG]

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I would take the plug to the auto parts store and look for a zerk wth the same size and thread which would go right in. They come in all sizes. Or, maybe they would have a reducer and zerk combination that would work.

[oldford2]

Originally Posted by mike42

I'm wanting to put a zerk fitting into the steering box lube hole plug so that I can just shoot grease into steering gear box rather than try to pour lube in. What size drill and tap for a standard zerk fitting should I use ?

Thx....Mike

This a too common type of post. Someone wanting to spend time and money to shortcut in this case a 5 minute procedure. How is a person who doesn't know how to fill a steering box ever going to drill and tap a filler in it??? My rant for the day.
John

[19Fordy]

Mike, since you have already drilled a 1/4 inch hole, use a 1/4 inch drive in zerk fitting.
http://www.saeproducts.com/drive-typ...-fittings.html

[ford38v8]

Mike, 19fordy beat me to the punch! Here's a pic of a drive zerk that will fit your 1/4" hole. You'll also need a drive tool, available where you get the zerk.

http://www.zoro.com/value-brand-grea...94/i/G1305367/

[oldford2]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Mike, 19fordy beat me to the punch! Here's a pic of a drive zerk that will fit your 1/4" hole. You'll also need a drive tool, available where you get the zerk.

http://www.zoro.com/value-brand-grea...94/i/G1305367/

Alan,
Are you supporting putting grease in the steering box??
John

[JSeery]

This is a really BAD idea.

[SofaKing]

To your original question, I recently installed some, 1/4-28 thread zerks, used a #3 or .2130 drill prior to tapping. Since the hole is already 1/4" you will need a grease zerk threaded somewhat larger since cutting threads will enlarge the existing hole. You will have to see what's available locally.

I am curious why there is push-back, I have read a number of things leading me to believe the "corn head grease in the steering box gag" was standard procedure back in the day, especially for leaky boxes.

[J Franklin]

Putting non fluid grease in the steering box back in the day is why many are rebuilding the worn out clearances today

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by oldford2

Alan,
Are you supporting putting grease in the steering box??
John

Not hardly. And I've actually never had to fuss with mine at all. Steering is good, alignment good, no play in the steering wheel, drive with one finger. The up tube has never broken, switching spider clean as a whistle. Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

[JSeery]

What J Franklin said. Grease will not provide lubrication on steering gears, the gears wipe the grease off the mating surfaces. Steering boxes require proper lubricant.

[32Bee]

I have found STP is a good substitute lubricant in my 32 and 36 steering boxes.

Peter

[G.M.]

Just take the filler plug out and insert the end of the grease gun in the hole. Use low melting temperature chassis grease with molly disulphate in it. DON"T use high temperature grease. The heat from the exhaust manifold heats and thins the grease making it easier to steer in cool temperatures. I have done this for over 30 years .G.M.

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by peter in nh

i have found stp is a good substitute lubricant in my 32 and 36 steering boxes.

Peter

stp x2

[oldford2]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Just take the filler plug out and insert the end of the grease gun in the hole. Use low melting temperature chassis grease with molly disulphate in it. DON"T use high temperature grease. The heat from the exhaust manifold heats and thins the grease making it easier to steer in cool temperatures. I have done this for over 30 years .G.M.

George, Up here in MA, We use our 46 several days a week until we head south after the holidays or until they put salt on the roads. Some mornings in the 30's. We make sure we drive it enough to get it up to temperature but doubt the steering box warms up much even though the drivers side exhaust wraps around the box. I don't think even low melting grease would work so I stick to Henry's recommendation. So, what works in the south may not work in the north. Why do you use grease? Do your boxes leak?
Hope to get down to see you and Skip in the winter.
John

[Bassman/NZ]

Penrite Steering Lube works for me. May be easier to find than corn head grease.