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Discussion Topic:
Steering Gear Lube
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Dolman |
08-30-2011 @ 6:09 PM
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New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Dec 2010
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Supereal, In a previous discussion you suggested using 140 weight gear lube in the steering box. The Yellow Book says 250. Called NAPA asking for 250 and the response was, "Huh?" Respecting your experience, I will use 140. But, NAPA has 85-140. Is the multiple viscosity OK? I would think that the location of the box cozy with an exhaust manifold the low end of the viscosity would not be an issue. Whatever I put in there, short of grease, would be better then the nothing that's in there now.
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supereal |
08-30-2011 @ 8:16 PM
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Senior
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Joined: Oct 2009
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The heat from the exhaust manifold does cook the steering box, and causes the lube to solidify. Many put chassis grease in the box, years ago, but it results in excessive wear. If you can't find 140 Weight oil, mix STP with 80-90. The steering box is one place where 600 wt oil will work, too. Because the boxes ordinarily leak, anyway, it is important to have a thick mixture, but still maintain the ability to keep the worm and sector oiled.
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37RAGTOPMAN |
08-31-2011 @ 5:39 AM
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Posts: 1967
Joined: Oct 2009
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you can buy the new 600 oil from the venders of the early car parts. LIKE Snyders. or Macs. or ask you FORD dealer what they use in the truck steering boxes, I have seen a grease with graphite added, its a dark gray grease. I would assume this will work well, hope this helps 37RAGTOPAMN
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supereal |
08-31-2011 @ 9:00 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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The problem with using grease instead of oil in the steering box is that the contact place where the steering is centered will have excessive wear unless there is an oil film present. Grease gets pushed aside, allowing metal to metal contact. This results in excess play where the wear happens.
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mdurhan |
08-31-2011 @ 9:03 PM
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Posts: 64
Joined: Mar 2011
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In my experience, the cure is John Deere Corn Head grease. A Corn Head is the head placed on a combine to harvest corn. While it is a true grease and won't easily leak out, it is a very liquid, wet grease, like a bowl of fresh made cake frosting and will "melt" (settle) between the worm and sector gears, thus keeping them lubed. Stated in layman's terms, it is "great stuff". My buddies and I have used it in steering boxes for years in the IH/Farmall vintage tractor restoration scene. I have also used it in vintage racing mustang steering boxes, which are right next to hot as heck headers under the hood of temperature making machines. I can assure you - it works great..... Mike Durhan
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MG |
08-31-2011 @ 9:51 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1262
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Thanks for the great tip Mike!......MG John Deere Corn Head Grease Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwk_sYP6A8
This message was edited by MG on 8-31-11 @ 10:09 PM
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joe b |
09-01-2011 @ 6:26 AM
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Posts: 389
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MG Interesting video. I never heard of this stuff. Too much city time I guess. Do you use it in your Ford trans and rear axle?
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ctfordguy |
09-01-2011 @ 7:38 AM
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Posts: 29
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Hi Mike. Do you know if Tractor Supply Company carries the John Deere Corn Grease? Thanks, Bruce
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supereal |
09-01-2011 @ 7:47 AM
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Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
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Use only gear oil in your transmission and rear end. It contains high pressure additives necessary.
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Dolman |
09-01-2011 @ 7:56 AM
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New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Dec 2010
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Thanks for the tip, Mike. Unfortunately corn doesn't grow in Alaska. I've heard that corn grows at night and in the summer, we don't have a night. So, I will go with the 140.
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