The Ford Barn

Steve Harrold · 06-17-2018, 04:54 PM

Hi, I've just rebuilt and fitted the steering box on my 1930 Phaeton.

On filling the box with oil, it soon started leaking into the switch and most places.

The gasket kit had a black rubber washer, about 1" in diameter, and I couldn't work out where this was supposed to go, so wonder if this is part of the problem?

All help appreciated

Steve (in England)

SeaSlugs · 06-17-2018, 05:21 PM

should use the lower plate with the tube attached - stops most of the light switch leaks.

WHN · 06-17-2018, 05:30 PM

We use John Deere Cornhead grease in steering box and u-joint.

No leaks. Enjoy.

Y-Blockhead · 06-17-2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Harrold

Hi, I've just rebuilt and fitted the steering box on my 1930 Phaeton.

On filling the box with oil, it soon started leaking into the switch and most places.

Steve (in England)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

should use the lower plate with the tube attached - stops most of the light switch leaks.

I agree with SeaSlugs. The Lower Plate with the tube does a great job stopping the leak at the bottom of the steering box https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/s...sing-end-plate

But what do you mean by "Most places"?

Tom Wesenberg · 06-17-2018, 09:40 PM

The black large O-ring goes on the sector shaft and gets squeezed between the gear box and frame.

Steve Harrold · 06-18-2018, 06:45 AM

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Thanks, will take a look. Doesn't sound as if my leak is down to this?

Steve Harrold · 06-18-2018, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

should use the lower plate with the tube attached - stops most of the light switch leaks.

Thanks

I'm using end plate with tube, and there's a paper gasket between the end plate and the housing. I think the oil's getting out there, but need to clean and watch it closely to see where it's escaping from

Anteek29 · 06-18-2018, 09:29 AM

Same as WHN, I use John Deere Cornhead grease...no leaks

Steve Harrold · 06-18-2018, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I agree with SeaSlugs. The Lower Plate with the tube does a great job stopping the leak at the bottom of the steering box https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/s...sing-end-plate

But what do you mean by "Most places"?

Thanks

It's not easy to see where the leak is, but the switch had a lot of oil inside it, and oil was dripping around the box. Will clean it up and refill and see if I can work out where it's busting out. I've been advised to use 600W oil, not grease, but it seems others don't share this idea.

Merc Cruzer · 06-18-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Harrold

Thanks

It's not easy to see where the leak is, but the switch had a lot of oil inside it, and oil was dripping around the box. Will clean it up and refill and see if I can work out where it's busting out. I've been advised to use 600W oil, not grease, but it seems others don't share this idea.

Put the 600 in and if it doesn't leak your are fine (your seal works). If it does leak, drain the box and put the grease in it. I have always used grease.

wmws · 06-18-2018, 11:35 AM

Use Corn Head grease not regular grease.

1931 flamingo · 06-18-2018, 12:12 PM

PenRite steering box lube.........................NO leaky.
Paul in CT

Steve Harrold · 07-02-2018, 10:37 AM

Thanks for all of your answers. After a number of non-auto related distractions I decided to take the steering box out of the car and get it on the bench, to see what's leaking. I have an end plate with the 'non-leak' tube on it, which seems OK (no holes or splits) and is about 6" long, so goes way higher than the level of the oil filler hole. On putting a even a relatively small amount of oil in, it starts to drip down the inside of the tube. It seems to me that it must be getting over the top of the tube, even though the level in the box is low. It carried on dripping for over an hour. I have ordered some Corn Head Grease, as this is getting tedious, but I can't fathom how the oil is getting up to the top of the 'non-leak' tube. Humph!

Y-Blockhead · 07-02-2018, 11:09 AM

The "non-leak" tube isn't leaking is it? Crack or hole??

Also, when you do find the leak remember to install the 'o' ring that Tom mentions on the sectors shaft (another common spot to leak).

midgetracer · 07-02-2018, 05:27 PM

If you filled it with 600 before you put it in the car, the oil could have gotten in the tube and continued to leak afterwards for some time. I had this problem, and it finally quit dripping.

30aadoodlebug · 07-02-2018, 06:13 PM

I may be just a whipper snapper to you guys, but I do know one thing: Model A's leak. If you lube it the way Henry wanted it done, they leak. Hence the rear main bearing janitor sold by most part houses. I tried 50/50 600w and STP with the tube plate and had the same results. I used the corn head grease in there and there were no issues. Im pretty sure if Henry had the availability to use what we have available today, it wouldn't be 600w.

Just my two cents.

Anteek29 · 07-03-2018, 09:27 AM

I use corn head grease in steering box and universal joint.

walkerlakeprinter · 10-22-2018, 08:58 PM

I have a 1929 7-tooth steering box. It has a modern "Zerk" fitting on the housing. How the heck are you supposed to get oil in the thing? Grease I can understand, but I don't have a grease gun for oil. (?)

J Franklin · 10-22-2018, 10:05 PM

Original grease guns could be filled with 600 gear oil and push it through a zerk fitting.

Mike Peters · 10-23-2018, 07:38 AM

I use an old 60 CC syringe left over from when we milked cows to fill steering boxes with 600W oil. Works well. You can get them from any large animal veterinary clinic.
I use corn head grease for corn heads here on the farm. Corn head gear boxes spin fast and build up a lot of heat, which causes the corn head grease to liquefy and lubricate. Upon cooling, the hot grease then solidifies back to grease and does not leak out of the gear box.
Model A steering boxes don't turn fast or get hot. So am wondering how effective corn head grease is in a steering box?? I honestly don't know, but if it's working for you guys, then it must be OK. I still use 600W with a lower plate tube so it doesn't leak.

Brian in Wheeling · 10-23-2018, 08:30 AM

Penrite Steering Box Lube. Available from Restoration Supply and likely other sources. No leaks.
Brian

katy · 10-24-2018, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkerlakeprinter

I have a 1929 7-tooth steering box. It has a modern "Zerk" fitting on the housing. How the heck are you supposed to get oil in the thing? Grease I can understand, but I don't have a grease gun for oil. (?)

Remove the zerk, then after you put the oil in, replace the zerk w/a 1/4 in NPT plug.

walkerlakeprinter · 10-24-2018, 12:47 PM

Thanks, katy....My 600W oil should arrive today or tomorrow. I have owned my coupe for 25+ years and never even once checked the oil in the steering box. I took the car down to the frame five years ago and am just now searching for all the hundreds of parts I took off. At 70 years old, I am having a ball working on "Bessie" now that I live in the high desert of Nevada instead of 48 years in the rainforest climate of Southeast Alaska.

walkerlakeprinter · 10-24-2018, 08:10 PM

I notice in my parts catalog that there is a plug for the 7-tooth steering box. Is that supposed to be where someone at sometime put in a Zerk fitting? It seems like a plug would make better sense to add 600W oil. I just received a quart of the oil and it came with a cap with a spout that would fit through the hole. I have no idea what kind of lube is in the box as it sits. Perhaps I need to flush it out and then add the correct amount of oil?

J Franklin · 10-24-2018, 11:22 PM

If it is grease in the box it won't flush easily. If you are set in flushing it out I think I would put some thin oil in it to thin the grease, otherwise just add the gear oil you have.

walkerlakeprinter · 10-25-2018, 08:59 AM

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I should have re-read post #22. Thanks, katy.

06-17-2018, 04:54 PM	#1
Steve Harrold Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 11	Steering Box leak Hi, I've just rebuilt and fitted the steering box on my 1930 Phaeton. On filling the box with oil, it soon started leaking into the switch and most places. The gasket kit had a black rubber washer, about 1" in diameter, and I couldn't work out where this was supposed to go, so wonder if this is part of the problem? All help appreciated Steve (in England)

06-17-2018, 05:30 PM	#3
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,820	Re: Steering Box leak We use John Deere Cornhead grease in steering box and u-joint. No leaks. Enjoy.

06-17-2018, 09:40 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Steering Box leak The black large O-ring goes on the sector shaft and gets squeezed between the gear box and frame.

06-18-2018, 06:45 AM	#6
Steve Harrold Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 11	Re: Steering Box leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks, will take a look. Doesn't sound as if my leak is down to this?

06-18-2018, 09:29 AM	#8
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Steering Box leak Same as WHN, I use John Deere Cornhead grease...no leaks __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

06-17-2018, 05:21 PM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Steering Box leak should use the lower plate with the tube attached - stops most of the light switch leaks. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

06-18-2018, 11:35 AM	#11
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Steering Box leak Use Corn Head grease not regular grease.

06-18-2018, 12:12 PM	#12
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Steering Box leak PenRite steering box lube.........................NO leaky. Paul in CT

07-02-2018, 10:37 AM	#13
Steve Harrold Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 11	Re: Steering Box leak Thanks for all of your answers. After a number of non-auto related distractions I decided to take the steering box out of the car and get it on the bench, to see what's leaking. I have an end plate with the 'non-leak' tube on it, which seems OK (no holes or splits) and is about 6" long, so goes way higher than the level of the oil filler hole. On putting a even a relatively small amount of oil in, it starts to drip down the inside of the tube. It seems to me that it must be getting over the top of the tube, even though the level in the box is low. It carried on dripping for over an hour. I have ordered some Corn Head Grease, as this is getting tedious, but I can't fathom how the oil is getting up to the top of the 'non-leak' tube. Humph!

07-02-2018, 11:09 AM	#14
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,848	Re: Steering Box leak The "non-leak" tube isn't leaking is it? Crack or hole?? Also, when you do find the leak remember to install the 'o' ring that Tom mentions on the sectors shaft (another common spot to leak).

07-02-2018, 05:27 PM	#15
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Steering Box leak If you filled it with 600 before you put it in the car, the oil could have gotten in the tube and continued to leak afterwards for some time. I had this problem, and it finally quit dripping.

07-02-2018, 06:13 PM	#16
30aadoodlebug Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Boxborough, MA Posts: 274	Re: Steering Box leak I may be just a whipper snapper to you guys, but I do know one thing: Model A's leak. If you lube it the way Henry wanted it done, they leak. Hence the rear main bearing janitor sold by most part houses. I tried 50/50 600w and STP with the tube plate and had the same results. I used the corn head grease in there and there were no issues. Im pretty sure if Henry had the availability to use what we have available today, it wouldn't be 600w. Just my two cents.

07-03-2018, 09:27 AM	#17
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: Steering Box leak I use corn head grease in steering box and universal joint. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

10-22-2018, 08:58 PM	#18
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Steering Box leak I have a 1929 7-tooth steering box. It has a modern "Zerk" fitting on the housing. How the heck are you supposed to get oil in the thing? Grease I can understand, but I don't have a grease gun for oil. (?)

10-22-2018, 10:05 PM	#19
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Steering Box leak Original grease guns could be filled with 600 gear oil and push it through a zerk fitting.

10-23-2018, 08:30 AM	#21
Brian in Wheeling Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wheeling, WV - U.S.A. Posts: 241	Re: Steering Box leak Penrite Steering Box Lube. Available from Restoration Supply and likely other sources. No leaks. Brian

10-24-2018, 12:47 PM	#23
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Steering Box leak Thanks, katy....My 600W oil should arrive today or tomorrow. I have owned my coupe for 25+ years and never even once checked the oil in the steering box. I took the car down to the frame five years ago and am just now searching for all the hundreds of parts I took off. At 70 years old, I am having a ball working on "Bessie" now that I live in the high desert of Nevada instead of 48 years in the rainforest climate of Southeast Alaska.

10-24-2018, 08:10 PM	#24
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Steering Box leak I notice in my parts catalog that there is a plug for the 7-tooth steering box. Is that supposed to be where someone at sometime put in a Zerk fitting? It seems like a plug would make better sense to add 600W oil. I just received a quart of the oil and it came with a cap with a spout that would fit through the hole. I have no idea what kind of lube is in the box as it sits. Perhaps I need to flush it out and then add the correct amount of oil?

10-24-2018, 11:22 PM	#25
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Steering Box leak If it is grease in the box it won't flush easily. If you are set in flushing it out I think I would put some thin oil in it to thin the grease, otherwise just add the gear oil you have.

10-25-2018, 08:59 AM	#26
walkerlakeprinter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walker Lake, Nevada Posts: 304	Re: Steering Box leak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I should have re-read post #22. Thanks, katy.