Steering box lube
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
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Steering box lube
My '56 steering box is in decent shape other than the fact that it leaks the 90/140w gear oil I use. It's actually an F-600 box, but it's essentially the same as the F-100 box, just a little bigger. I could remove it and re-seal if I could fine the parts, but am considering adding a zerk to the fill plug and just filling it with chassis grease of some flavor. Is this good practice? I have always assumed that gear oil would be more effective at lubing these things compared to grease which in my mind might get pushed away from the sector/worm interface. Opinions?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
I too recently put a F350-600 steering box on my F100. Thanks to many discussions here in FTE I filled it 00 Corn Head grease. I bought it at Tractor Supply . It's thick enough no leak but not too thick like grease.
You are correct about grease being pushed away from gear surfaces.
I haven't driven my truck enough to give a great testimonial but everyone here says this stuff is perfect.
You are correct about grease being pushed away from gear surfaces.
I haven't driven my truck enough to give a great testimonial but everyone here says this stuff is perfect.
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,472
Likes: 1,696
From: Kentucky
I too recently put a F350-600 steering box on my F100. Thanks to many discussions here in FTE I filled it 00 Corn Head grease. I bought it at Tractor Supply . It's thick enough no leak but not too thick like grease.
You are correct about grease being pushed away from gear surfaces.
I haven't driven my truck enough to give a great testimonial but everyone here says this stuff is perfect.
You are correct about grease being pushed away from gear surfaces.
I haven't driven my truck enough to give a great testimonial but everyone here says this stuff is perfect.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
If I hadn't taken an unscheduled nap during Truckstock (Never lie down "just for a minute" in the middle of the day.) I would like to have driven your truck. Does the bigger truck steering box make a big difference? I'd like to improve my steerability without adding power or rack and pinion.
Yes, it makes a lot of difference. You saw my driveway and garage, Ken. I can back my truck up the alley and turn into the driveway and turn again into the garage with only my left hand on the wheel and my right arm on the seat back as I look out the back window.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
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Thanks guys, and yes, like Abe, the bigger box does work better. I wouldn't say it's a night and day difference, but it's definitely easier to steer and has much better on center feel. As far as the proper lube goes, I guess the trick is to find some kind of lube (maybe like Lucas?) which is just thick and sticky. Looks like the stuff that Abe showed would work. Or this stuff? https://www.ebay.com/itm/333150463277
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,995
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From: u-rah-rah Wisconsin
The Ford Barn gang really likes the John Deere corn head grease for steering boxes. It has worked well for me on a steering box and torque tube connections.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
"You snooze, you lose!"
Yes, it makes a lot of difference. You saw my driveway and garage, Ken. I can back my truck up the valley and turn into the driveway and turn again into the garage with only my left hand on the wheel and my right arm on the seat back as I look out the back window.
Yes, it makes a lot of difference. You saw my driveway and garage, Ken. I can back my truck up the valley and turn into the driveway and turn again into the garage with only my left hand on the wheel and my right arm on the seat back as I look out the back window.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2003
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The corn head grease is in a cartridge? I'd need a zerk?
Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Kentucky
Just pull the plug and put the grease gun in the hole. The corn head grease is pliable enough to flow in.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,376
Likes: 5,386
From: Central PA
You don't need a zerk. The 00 grease I used is in a plastic bottle that you simply squeezed into the steering box until the box is full.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: AKRON ohio
If I hadn't taken an unscheduled nap during Truckstock (Never lie down "just for a minute" in the middle of the day.) I would like to have driven your truck. Does the bigger truck steering box make a big difference? I'd like to improve my steerability without adding power or rack and pinion.
