36 Ford steering box question

[davids2toys]

Hi All,
Very new to the old Ford world. I just bought this car from the original owner earlier this year. The steering box was empty, I filled it up and the next day it was empty again because it all leaked out on the ground. Any ideas what is leaking?
Thanks...David

[Kurt in NJ]

is it leaking out the light switch or the sector shaft?, different fixes

[Terry,OH]

The leak at the light switch is usually fixed by removing the tube 40-3597 and soldering the tube to it's mounting plate. If the leak is at the sector and pitman arm the sector shaft seal in the sector housing should be replaced with a CR11209 seal.
If the oil all leaked out overnight you may be missing something. There are drawings in the parts books showing the assembly.

[alanwoodieman]

FYI- 36 steering box is a one year only design-it has needle bearings as opposed to bushings, I have worked on several and if the box has been without oil for very long chances are the bearings will be bad. do as terry oh said.

[JSeery]

What are you putting in it for lubricant? They tend to leak with thinner lubes.

[davids2toys]

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I am using the lube I put in the rear and tranny, it is the 600 wt from Mac.I will have to put more in and observe where it is leaking from. I know it was dripping from the front of the shield so it could have come from either place. Is the shield easy to remove so I can see specifically where it is leaking?
I am used to working on my ERA AC Cobra and this is a whole different animal!

[tubman]

To temporarily get by. try some John Deere "Cornhead" grease. It has solved a lot of leakiy steering box problems. Do a "Search" here and on the "H.A.M.B.".

[JSeery]

What they are calling 600w is around SAE 140 gear lube. Any other year gear box Cornhead gear lubricant is a good option, but not sure with the roller bearings. I think what you are referring to a shield is the light switch housing. It comes off by sliding the bale off to the side and twisting it a little.

[1931 flamingo]

PennRite steering box lube....................NO leakee.
Available from Restoration Specialties, Escondido, CA
Paul in CT

[davids2toys]

In the manuals for this year it calls out gear lube, so that is what I used. The same that is called out for the rear and tranny.

No, the shield I am referring to is not the light switch housing, this shield is underneath the car and goes beneath the light switch housing and steering box.


I just watched a video on that Pennrite lube, looks awesome. Looks like a nice fix for a car that is not going to see a lot of miles beside some cruise nights, thanks

[JSeery]

If you are wanting to go by the manual, why are you using Mac's 600w, that's not something Ford ever recommended! Ford recommendation for transmission was gear lubricate, SAE 90 or 100 Winter & SAE 160 Summer. And for rear axles, Extreme Pressure (EP) SAE 90 or 100 Winter & SAE 160 Summer. 600w was a brand name of a steam engine lubricant. Ford later (by at least 1940) updated the transmission recommendation to Mild EP gear lubricant. In todays terms I would use a GL4 multi grade gear lube for transmission and GL4 or GL5 multi grade for the rear axle.

[davids2toys]

Because I believe that is what Macs called out for this car on their site, so that is what I got. I believe the manuals just called out some weights and temps. Next time I will be more careful. I am sure it will be fine for what i am using the car for

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by davids2toys

Because I believe that is what Macs called out for this car on their site, so that is what I got. I believe the manuals just called out some weights and temps. Next time I will be more careful. I am sure it will be fine for what i am using the car for

Ya, it's a sales gimmick some of the suppliers promote. Not that it is going to damage anything, but think you are better off using know quality gear lubricants. As I am sure you will find out Mac's is not the best source of information or parts (that said I order from them from time to time). The best is NOS for most parts when you can get them. Several regulars here on the Barn have a lot of NOS items. When that is not an option, it is nice to deal with suppliers that know and understand these vehicles, again a lot of sources right here on the Barn.

[davids2toys]

understood

[A bones]

Have you tried Joe's Antique Parts? Nice folks very knowledgeable.

Uxbridge Mass. open Mon to Thur 8:00-4:30.

1 800 508 3980 for orders, 1 508 278 3980 for orders and support.

[cajunfirehawk]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

PennRite steering box lube....................NO leakee.
Available from Restoration Specialties, Escondido, CA
Paul in CT

Is one bottle enough for the avg 36 steering box?

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by A bones

Have you tried Joe's Antique Parts? Nice folks very knowledgeable.

Uxbridge Mass. open Mon to Thur 8:00-4:30.

1 800 508 3980 for orders, 1 508 278 3980 for orders and support.

I don't think so, maybe when I first got the car. The name looks very familiar. I will keep them in mind. Thank you

[davids2toys]

Originally Posted by cajunfirehawk

Is one bottle enough for the avg 36 steering box?

Great question! I looked into this stuff a little. Videos on you tube show it in a bottle but they sell it in a tube in their catalog, page 24 it is sold in a 450 gram tube for 19.00. The stuff in the bottle looks great and after some heating should be easy enough to pour in the box

[davids2toys]

I ordered 2 bottles and so far it is not leaking out at all.Lets see what happens when it is running and heats up because of the location next to the exh manifold. The shipping was expensive and the same whether I ordered 1 bottle or 12, so I ordered 2
Thank you...Dave

[Kerk]

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