Steeging Box Leaks

[Bob_Spidell]

Anyone have ideas on why a steering box would start leaking after years of dry service? This doesn't appear to be the typical leak through the seal around the rocker shaft; but may be coming from the front plate. There's no moving parts where it's leaking, and no plausible pressure buildup in a steering box, so what could it be?

 

[steveg]

Stripped bolt on front plate. Corner of gasket fell out. Crack in casting.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Argh ... Of course I meant 'steeRing box.' That's what I get for posting late at night.

Thanks Steve. I've already tightened the olive cover nut and the front plate nuts. Gasket failure is a possibility; sure hope the case isn't cracked.

 

[TimK]

Use Penright gear grease, no leaks, no matter what.

 

[RAC68]

Hi Bob,

I would second Tim's suggestion and would probably refill with John Deere Corn Head or Penright grease but after determining the cause of the leak or if I felt reasonably confident everything was operating properly.

All the best,
Ray(64BJ8P1)

 

[bob hughes]

Mmmm, I have Penright in my steering box and very good it is too, no major leaks at the bottom, certainly not enough to worry about, but the shaft appears to be working when the steering is operated at a standstill and grease can be seen oozing out of the joint where the shaft joins the box, not a major issue for me but a PITA, as I do not understand why it should be moving. BTW I believe that I have a 100/6 steering column as my BJ7 was repatriated from the States and put back to a right hooker by a PO.



Bob

 

[RDKeysor]

My '60 BN7 dumped its steering gear oil without even a previous hint of a leak. I went the John Deere corn head gear route and haven't looked back. I bought the standard grease cartridge, loaded it in my grease gun, removed the grease fitting coupling and pumped the grease into the box. Later, I went back and topped off the grease level. I did this after reading up on this topic and the characteristics of this particular grease, among these is a lump of this material doesn't slump like typical greases. This is apparently a key requirement for corn head units. No, I won't replace the Penright oil in my shocks with this grease.

 

[Keoke]

steering box leaks, so what could it be?

Years of service-----:highly_amused:

 

[bob hughes]

On the ball as usual Keoke :lol:



Bob

 

[EV2239]

Use LM2 semi liquid grease