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Steering box oil

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R

Roberte

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What type of oil is used in the steering box on a BJ7? Can normal 90wt gear oil be used? If not is there an inexpensive oil that would work?

Robert
 
Here's my summary based on just-completed filling of my steering box:

Most folks here are using Penrite Steering Box Lube, an NLGI #00 grease. I just did a total fill of my box at just over 1 container of Penrite at a cost of >$40 ($18.85 ea).

Some hot rodders and old car folks online are using John Deere Corn Head Grease NLGI #0 - available online for around $4 per 14 oz gun cartridge (2 needed).

Snapper, Oregon and other NLGI #00 greases are available on Amazon for approximately $10 per quart.

These relatively thin greases are less likely to leak out than gear oil.

FWIW - I called the national distributor for Penrite in California and they don't carry the Steering Lube so Moss seems to be the only source right now.

It's easy to under-fill the box. See the steering video at:
https://www.scuderiasilva.com/how-to-videos.htm
(Scroll down to the correct video)
 
Hi Steve,

Thank you for the review as I was not aware of the practice of doing a grease fill and was getting ready to check and top off the steering box and idler with the standard oil. I have just finished rebuilding my Son’s recently acquired 1990 John Deere lawn tractor and did a refresh of the Peerless 5-speed transmission with the John Deere grease you mentioned. I remember thinking when doing this refresh that the transmission never leaked …. even after being been left in a field, exposed to the elements, for the past 8 years.

You indicated that you did not use the John Deere grease in favor of the Penrite product. Since both seem to have similar characteristics, what was your reasoning for choosing the more expensive product?

Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
RAC68 said:
Hi Steve,

Thank you for the review as I was not aware of the practice of doing a grease fill and was getting ready to check and top off the steering box and idler with the standard oil. I have just finished rebuilding my Son’s recently acquired 1990 John Deere lawn tractor and did a refresh of the Peerless 5-speed transmission with the John Deere grease you mentioned. I remember thinking when doing this refresh that the transmission never leaked …. even after being been left in a field, exposed to the elements, for the past 8 years.

You indicated that you did not use the John Deere grease in favor of the Penrite product. Since both seem to have similar characteristics, what was your reasoning for choosing the more expensive product?

Ray (64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...

My neighbor and Healey buddy Dennis gave me a full bottle of Penrite and I was hopeful of filling the box with that. When it didn't quite fill the box, I bought a bottle from Moss to top it off. Didn't seem prudent to be mixing different greases.
 
Steve,

Good reason. I am thinking of using the John Deere Grease up mentioned. Do you, or anyone on the Forum, feel this is not a good idea? If so, what other of the greases you mentioned do you (or anyone else on the Forum) feel is a better choice?

Thanks again,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Hi Robert
I am about to fill my new box and thought I'd use some Penrite Transoil 250. It's a straight, thick gear oil. I use it in the gearbox and diff of my 1927 Morris Oxford. It shouldn't leak from seals. I think it would be ok and less likely to 'clump up' like grease.
Matthew
 
oxford said:
Hi Robert
I am about to fill my new box and thought I'd use some Penrite Transoil 250. It's a straight, thick gear oil. I use it in the gearbox and diff of my 1927 Morris Oxford. It shouldn't leak from seals. I think it would be ok and less likely to 'clump up' like grease.
Matthew
Click to expand...

The Penrite Steering Box Lube is an NLGI #00 grease - it will flow sluggishly at normal temps. This is different from the NLGI #2 wheel bearing grease. The reason folks aren't using gear oil in there is it leaks past the seal at the bottom.

This video shows the difference between a 2 and a 0:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL_4T9YJInA

The Penrite SBox Lube or other 00 flows more like jam.
OldNewPenrite.jpg Old & new Penrite bottles. No more delivery squeeze top.
 
RAC68 said:
Steve,

Good reason. I am thinking of using the John Deere Grease up mentioned. Do you, or anyone on the Forum, feel this is not a good idea? If so, what other of the greases you mentioned do you (or anyone else on the Forum) feel is a better choice?

Thanks again,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
Click to expand...

The main disadvantage of the John Deere is it's a gun grease in cartridges. The quart squeeze bottles of NLGI 00 on amazon look pretty easy to use.
 
Hey no fair. You guys up top got the Penrite in bottles, we only get it in grease gun tubes down here and I have to use a big syringe to inject it into the box. Andy.

133099d1236596225-how-rebuilt-burman-steering-box-penrite-steering-box-lube.jpg
 
57_BN4 said:
Hey no fair. You guys up top got the Penrite in bottles, we only get it in grease gun tubes down here and I have to use a big syringe to inject it into the box. Andy.

View attachment 29547
Click to expand...
It's gravity Andy...we at the "top" don't have to worry unless we turn it upside down. Ya'll have to be more carefull with everything as ya'll already upside down. LOL
 
Ok enough of this leaky steering box BS . Ive tried new seals , two seals back to back , modified seals, different weight oils etc etc it still freakin leaks !!!!:mad-new:
So its grease time . This corn head grease ....is that the semi-solid stuff and can I get it at the local farm supply type store ?:eagerness::smile-new:
 
Healey Nut said:
Ok enough of this leaky steering box BS . Ive tried new seals , two seals back to back , modified seals, different weight oils etc etc it still freakin leaks !!!!:mad-new:
So its grease time . This corn head grease ....is that the semi-solid stuff and can I get it at the local farm supply type store ?:eagerness::smile-new:
Click to expand...

This is it:
https://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Special-Purpose-Corn-Head-Gun-Grease-AN102562.html

It should take just over a cartridge. Be sure to turn the box lock-to-lock a few times during the process to distribute the grease.

Let us know how the install goes.
 
I've been following this post with interest. Am the only one who uses 90W oil in the steering box and idler box with no leaks?
 
Keith_M said:
Well that's a relief. I was actually starting to wonder if I was doing something wrong.
Click to expand...

I have been using 90wt.gear lube in my steering box all these years as well! I would like to ask if anyone in the forum switched from 90wt.gear lube to Penrite and noticed some slop taken out of there steering box because of the higher viscosity of Penrite gear lube?
 
drambuie said:
I have been using 90wt.gear lube in my steering box all these years as well! I would like to ask if anyone in the forum switched from 90wt.gear lube to Penrite and noticed some slop taken out of there steering box because of the higher viscosity of Penrite gear lube?
Click to expand...

I would be really surprised if using oil vs grease had any effect on the slop. If by slop you mean free play in the wheel, there is an adjustment procedure that works pretty well unless the box is really badly worn. Mine has very little free play after following the procedure.
 
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