Steering Box Cover Bolts leaking

Rob Fayette

I checked the steering box on my 51 Pacemaker and found it to be pretty much dry.  I know I had filled it in the past.   I filled it again with 90 wt. and found it way down again the next day.  I found that it is leaking around the cap that covers the adjusting screw and also around the bolts that hold the cover plates on.  The bolts go clear through the casting into the oil cavity.  Do any of you guys have a good way to seal up these bolts so they don't leak?  I am thinking maybe RTV or Permatex on the bolt before putting it in the hole.  I guess if push comes to shove I can add grease to the oil in the gear box so it doesn't leak out so much.  Looking for ideas.  Thanks

Rob

Lee ODell

Rob

I would clean oil off all threads, CASTING AND BOLTS,, and use RTV or Permatex only on bolt threads.
Maybe a O-ring under cap and RTV under lock nut on adjusting screw.

Lee O'Dell

lostmind

copper washers from the hardware store ?

Glowplug

Rob: the mechanical proceedures manual shows a seal that maintains the oil in the assembly. I suggest that the oil is flowing past the seal and appearing at the bolt heads as an artifact of the seal leakage. I do not know a seal number for replacement. Someone here may.

Lance

Rob, replace that 90wt gear oil with a tube of John Deere 'Corn Head Grease'  This stuff won't leak and is made for a slow moving steel worm gear on a corn harvester. Great stuff. Oddly enough it has a green color .lol   The seal replacement number I have for a steering box is NAPA/ SKF 12334. OEM number was National 240356.  Bear in mind that this is for the LWB steering box. Yours may differ. I don't think it would but there is a possibility.

RichardD

Definitely use the green grease; but you will have to add it over about 4 weeks until it stops 'bridging'. Take the grease fitting OFF the grease gun; just use the hose with the male screw. If not, you will get it hung up and think crazy things. But I did get it at Walmart--basically the cheapest thing there--and NOT lithium !!

Rob Fayette

Thanks for all of the good ideas. 

 I drained the steering box by removing the cover bolt that was the lowest and let it drain for 24 hours.  Then I took out two bolts of the side cover and two bolts of the end cover and cleaned the bolts and the internal threads using Q-tips and rags pushed into the holes with a small screwdriver.  Then using Q-tips I put a layer of permatex on the bolt threads and on the internal threads in the holes.  I also put a bead of RTV around each hole opening.  I then screwed the bolts back in the holes and tightened them up.  After waiting 24 hours I did the remaining bolts the same way.  On the adjusting bolt,star washer, and cap, I used permatex on the threads of the adjusting bolt,and RTV on both sides of the star washer, and RTV on the edge of the cap where it contacts the star washer.  After everything had set for at least 24 hours I filled the steering box with 90wt and so far it hasn't leaked at all.  I also went to the local John Deere dealer and bought 2 tubes of Corn Head grease in case the box starts leaking again.  Thanks again.

Rob

Glowplug

Thanks for sharing results Rob

DavidC

Never heard the corn head grease before- gonna definitely convert!

StillOutThere

A JOhn Deere web page states:

Corn Head Grease

• Thins to gear oil when working; thickens to grease when resting.
• Factory fill for all John Deere corn heads.

Considering the relative minimal movement in a steering box, especially during cold winter months, this does not sound liike it is going to lubricate the gears to me because it will be a cold hard cake of grease.   I'm sure it won't leak out but I'd rather have drips on the floor than have to rebuild /replace the steering box.

The Studebaker folks have created a fantastic manual steering grease I and friends have been using in multiple cars for the last 6-7 years including several that leaked with other lubricants.   On page 4 here:   http://studebaker-intl.com/PDF/Suspension.pdf      You'll find one tube will fill 2-3 Hudson boxes.   I HIGHLY recommend this for no leaks and amazing ease of steering.

RL Chilton

Link doesn't work, Wayne.  

SuperDave

Still out there has it right.   My experience with Model A fords goes back to 1956. Just gave it to my son last year. Those things leaked. ALWAYS. They were designed that way. No seals. Many have used a grease to stop the leaking. All have had to replace the gears as a result. Think of the oil leak as floor preservation.  )

StillOutThere

Unfortunate that doesn't work but go to the home page:  http://studebaker-intl.com/   and then get into the catalog link and then go to the suspension section and page 4 where the box grease is available.

I've never owned a Model A but did service several.  Boxes were continually dry and worn out.  I hope that niche of the hobby figured out a seal over the decades.   Chassis or wheel bearing grease never works to save a steering box because it presses out of the gears and STAYS OUT of the gears.  

Lance

A JOhn Deere web page states:

Corn Head Grease

• Thins to gear oil when working; thickens to grease when resting.
• Factory fill for all John Deere corn heads.

Considering the relative minimal movement in a steering box, especially during cold winter months, this does not sound liike it is going to lubricate the gears to me because it will be a cold hard cake of grease.   I'm sure it won't leak out but I'd rather have drips on the floor than have to rebuild /replace the steering box.

The Studebaker folks have created a fantastic manual steering grease I and friends have been using in multiple cars for the last 6-7 years including several that leaked with other lubricants.   On page 4 here:   http://studebaker-intl.com/PDF/Suspension.pdf      You'll find one tube will fill 2-3 Hudson boxes.   I HIGHLY recommend this for no leaks and amazing ease of steering.

This may be true but really how much driving to you do when it's 16 degrees?   Might also be where you live. It works for us around here because we don't suffer Wisconsin winters. If it dosen't work for you thats OK. It works for me.

StillOutThere

I was last replying regarding wheel bearing and chassis grease that the majoriity of people use.  I stand by my comment that in cold weather use in a car steering box the Corn Head stuff will be vastly useless and inferior to the Studebaker grease DESIGNED FOR CAR STEERING BOXES.
 

Geoff

I use a home made concoction of Castrol MP moly grease mixed with 90 grade gear oil.   Dilute the grease with the gear oil and stir until it is about the consistency of treacle.   Put it  in  a gun and pump intop the steering box until  it squirts out.   Works wonders, and leakage is minimal. 

Geoff 

farmermike

The steering box on my 35 Terraplane was leaking also. I tried Geoff's idea of mixing Moly grease with 90 wt. and then came across a product sold by Restoration Supply Company out of Escondido, CA. that they call "steering box lube" that is 1200w. specialty gear oil. In essence it is flowable grease that is similar to the moly / 90 wt. mix. It is made by the Penrite Oil Company.

So far it has dropped the leak in my steering box to a small amount compared to what it was. If you are interested their website is : www.restorationstuff.com and a 500 ml bottle, part# LUB009,  cost $15.75.

Mike