Thread: Steering Box Question?

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For what it's worth, I read on the P15-D24 forum that "Corn Head Grease", available from John Deere dealers is a good choice for steering boxes. I've purchased some of that grease, but have not added any yet. Supposedly, it will perform well, even if the steering box seal drips regular lube. My 1948 Plymouth has a bit of a leak at the steering box,, and I'm planning to give it a try.

Good tip. The box in my 27 has a slow leak too, so I might try that stuff. Thanks.

Don

You folks living in Florida probably don't have to worry, but be careful filling the box with grease if you live where it gets really cold.
A number off years back, I bought a CJ5 Jeep. Everything was OK until the first really cold day (-20F) when I promptly stuffed it into a snow bank on the first corner I came to.
The blasted wheel wouldn't turn. The PO had filled the steering box with grease and it had turned to cement in the cold. I had to clean the box out and replace it with gear oil to get it to operate when the temperature was low.

Originally Posted by RestoRod

You folks living in Florida probably don't have to worry, but be careful filling the box with grease if you live where it gets really cold.
A number off years back, I bought a CK5 Jeep. Everything was OK until the first really cold day (-20F) when I promptly stuffed it into a snow bank on the first corner I came to.
The blasted wheel wouldn't turn. The PO had filled the steering box with grease and it had turned to cement in the cold. I had to clean the box out and replace it with gear oil to get it to operate when the temperature was low.

See another thing I hadn't thought about. In central Texas it doesn't get that cold, but it does get into the 20's. Although I'm not young enough to drive a roadster in that temp....., it certainly would be a consideration for a closed cab, car or truck. Very good point......

Resto's remarks are good for furthering the discussion. Brings to mind the difficulty with "I found it on the internet.......". Info can be correct or incorrect or it depends. As an example, I was sloppy above when saying that grease is typically around 10% thickener. Greases come in grades to describe how thick they are, as defined by NLGI specs (good thing to look up for those interested). The oil component may be the same viscosity across a range of NLGI grades of a line of grease, while the amount of thickener contributes to the variety of grades. The grease most are familiar with used for wheel bearings, chassis, general purpose is an NLGI 2 grade. NLGI grades range from grade 000 which is oil with almost no thickener to grade 6 which is a solid block at 60f. The JD cornhead grease above is a grade 0, which is very soft, softer than the "normal" grade 2 most are familiar with. Could be resto's jeep had grade 2, but who knows. And following hobby car guy recommendations might work fine since their cars don't normally get used in very cold weather so don't experience issues caused by low temps. Likewise, the example Pops put up with the 85w 140 tells us that it is likely a multi-grade, the w meaning it was tested for low temp viscosity (the w standing for winter [yes, NOT weight]).

Originally Posted by Oldguy48

For what it's worth, I read on the P15-D24 forum that "Corn Head Grease", available from John Deere dealers is a good choice for steering boxes. I've purchased some of that grease, but have not added any yet. Supposedly, it will perform well, even if the steering box seal drips regular lube. My 1948 Plymouth has a bit of a leak at the steering box,, and I'm planning to give it a try.

Might look into that as well. I have a JD dealer right down the road. Thanks