1936 Steering Box Lubricant

[aandkt]

What lubricant works besst in my 1936 Ford steering box?
Thanks

[Kube]

In my opinion, John Deere corn head grease. About $7 a tube.

[aandkt]

Thanks
How many tubes does it take to fillan empty Box?

[Krylon32]

Another vote for JD corn head grease. My memory isn't very good but I think I used 1 tube when I filled the 37 Hudson box in my 32 pickup.

[Terry,OH]

You need a liquid that will get past the sector and into the two bearings. My suggestion is 140W Gear oil.

[JM 35 Sedan]

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....and yet another vote for John Deere Corn Head Grease. I've used it in my '35 steering boxes and universal joints for the last 10 years. Has worked very well in both areas.

Corn Head Grease is a high quality multi-purpose, semi-fluid type grease available in an NLGI #0 grade. Although primarily applied in corn head lubrication, this product can be recommended for many applications in agriculture, automotive, construction and industrial environments.

Check out this YouTube Video below:

https://youtu.be/7zNhli-J0Gk

[gwistrup]

How do you get the corn head grease in the steering box? Will it pour or do you have to use a grease gun?

[Krylon32]

I used a grease gun with the tip removed from the pipe.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by gwistrup

How do you get the corn head grease in the steering box? Will it pour or do you have to use a grease gun?

I had installed a grease fitting to an extra filler cap. Install that modified cap, pack the steering gear box and replace with the stock cap. That way, I know the box is full.

[aandkt]

Thanks Again

[F1 MIKE]

IF it leaks fix it use 140 gear oil.

[evintho]

I removed the box and shoved the cornhead grease in by hand. One tube did it.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1682701386

[Seth Swoboda]

John Deere corn head grease is "00" grease. If you can't find Deere brand most lubricant companies sell "00" grease.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by evintho

I removed the box and shoved the cornhead grease in by hand. One tube did it.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...1&d=1682701386

[Steve in Denver]

Problem with JD Corn Grease, is, it will settle, even though it gets hot from the manifold, nd does not lube the top bearing, which will thus wear out.

[1952henry]

Actually, corn head grease, whether in a green tube or any other color tube is “0”. Cotton picker spindle grease is “00”, a pourable grease.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Steve in Denver

Problem with JD Corn Grease, is, it will settle, even though it gets hot from the manifold, nd does not lube the top bearing, which will thus wear out.

Really? I'd better run out and check my farming equipment right now.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Steve in Denver

Problem with JD Corn Grease, is, it will settle, even though it gets hot from the manifold, nd does not lube the top bearing, which will thus wear out.

Steve in Denver, Have you personally experienced this top bearing failure in the steering box of your early Ford V-8 when using JD Corn Head Grease?

[GB SISSON]

Cap with the zerk seems like the best way to go. Simple and cheap and the top bearing can't escape the rising cornhead tide.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by 1952henry

Actually, corn head grease, whether in a green tube or any other color tube is “0”. Cotton picker spindle grease is “00”, a pourable grease.

Thanks for the correction. A quick inernet search shows the 00 as a pourable type.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by aandkt

What lubricant works besst in my 1936 Ford steering box?
Thanks

What works best in YOUR steering box can NOT be determined by asking other people. It can only be answered by YOU actually testing various lubes in YOUR steering.
What satisfies most people is not scientifically, physically or mechanically acceptable to people that want "best".

The equipment to test for "best" is very basic and simple. It consists of a cheap dial indicator and a basic fish spring scale.

The test method has been published on this and other forums before several times.

[1952henry]

Seth, I find myself having to double check the grades myself when this comes up on various forums. Easy enough to get mixed around. Seems the 00 is a big hit with the early Jeep steering boxes and front knuckle housings. Have read good things about cv joint lube as well. Just getting my own ducks in a row for when the assembly starts on my own project.

[koates]

Scrape some JD corn head grease out of the tube into a clean fruit can and heat it up on the stove (not in the kitchen) or camping stove until it becomes a liquid and then pour it into the steering box filler hole and fill right up. When driving the car the exhaust manifold will heat up the steering box and the corn head grease will become a thick liquid. You can watch on the JD site how this happens inside a corn head gearbox. I have used it in several early Ford V8 cars and it works well without leaks. Regards Keviin.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by koates

Scrape some JD corn head grease out of the tube into a clean fruit can and heat it up on the stove (not in the kitchen) or camping stove until it becomes a liquid and then pour it into the steering box filler hole and fill right up. When driving the car the exhaust manifold will heat up the steering box and the corn head grease will become a thick liquid. You can watch on the JD site how this happens inside a corn head gearbox. I have used it in several early Ford V8 cars and it works well without leaks. Regards Keviin.

That most likely will only work on right hand drive cars.