The Ford Barn

wrndln · 06-14-2012, 05:01 PM

Has anyone used corn head grease in the steering box of a model A? I am having trouble with minor leaks at the bottom of my 7 tooth column I just rebuilt. First I didn't use any sealer, like was advised here by a couple of Fordbarner, but it leaked. I used Permatex to seal the shims and threads on the bottom bolts, but one bolt has a slow leak - I don't know why. I was thinking of using corn head grease, as it is supposed to not leak and lubs well. I pasted in a link to a YouTube video about the grease. It sound great and is only about $4 a 11 oz tube. If anyone has used corn head grease in a steering column, please let me know how it worked.
Rusty Nelson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwk_sYP6A8

bogdonj · 06-14-2012, 05:19 PM

I only use corn head grease on my U Joint.. not sure if it should go in the steering box. You may have to heat it up to get it in if you do..

Ian NZ · 06-14-2012, 05:20 PM

I am using John Deere Cornhead grease in the steering box of my 1932 Ford and it is working well, no leaks as yet. I had a bit of a Job removing the 600W oil from the steering box with a suction gun and a thin plastic hose though. It was easy to fill the steering box with the Corn head grease as I just poured it out of the cartridge into the steering box as it was just like extra thick oil, you do not have to use a grease gun.

Bill Lee/Virginia · 06-14-2012, 05:46 PM

Has anyone used this grease in the transmission or differential of a Model A Ford? What is your experience? Good? or Bad?
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

glenn in camino · 06-14-2012, 07:53 PM

I mix 600W with grease to make the 600W thicker but so it will still flow. Leaks a little but not very much. I have those aftermarket tubes and straight 600W in a couple of my cars. They work really good.

jfrankhash · 06-14-2012, 10:11 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Haven't tried it in the Miss Frances (1930 ccpu), but it is a well known steering gear fix for Farmall Letter series tractors from the 40's and 50's.

1931 flamingo · 06-14-2012, 10:49 PM

Penn-Rite steering box lube, comes in a bottle. Available from Restoration Supply, Escondida, CA. They have an online catalog. About $14 plus shipping. I put in 600w and it all leaked out. Put Penn-Rite in and NO leaks in over a year. JMO
Paul in CT

Chris in WNC · 06-15-2012, 08:44 AM

use STP- it leaks out slower than gear oil.......

with corn head grease or any other grease you will eliminate most leaks but also eliminate most lubrication of the steering gears......

jmaotto · 06-15-2012, 08:58 AM

Cornhead grease works well in my Ford 8N tractor.

CarlG · 06-15-2012, 10:43 AM

OK, So IF, and that's a big IF, I were to decide to put the corn head grease in my U-joint, would I have to clean out all the other stuff in there, or just begin adding it as needed. It currently has that Mystic jt6 in it right now, but I need to add more, I'm sure. (I'm sure there's not a full tube in there)

wrndln · 06-15-2012, 12:21 PM

CarlG,
Does your U joint leak? If it doesn't, I would keep using Mystic JT6. If JT6 is leaking, I am not sure corn head grease wouldn't leak also, as JT6 is very thick compared to gear oil. I was concerned about the steering column with Mobil 680 gear oil in it with a very slow leak. I hate leaks! It is the only thing that leaks on my newly assembled chassis (so far anyway). I think corn head grease would work pretty well in the transmission and differential as well as the steering box after seeing the YouTube video. I just checked with a local John Deere dealer and they have corn head grease for about $3.50 an 11oz tube - not to bad.
Rusty Nelson

d.j. moordigian · 06-15-2012, 12:26 PM

Rusty,

I liked the YouTube video.....is that stuff EP?

Rebel Sympathy · 07-10-2012, 01:51 PM

You do not eliminate lubrication with corn head grease. While it is a grease, it is continously in a state of flux; turn the wheel and the grease settlles back into the air pocket created by the movement of the worm and sector. It works great. I have used it for years. In one instance the leak was so bad that the corn head grease still oozed out over time. Other than that, it has been great.

Mike

Seth Swoboda · 07-10-2012, 02:44 PM

I recently put some John Deere multi-lube in the steering box of my 39 pickup with good results.

MrTube · 07-10-2012, 02:58 PM

Ah, the old "my steering box leaks so I drained the oil out and put grease in" discussion.

I have to ask, if this is the logic being used, do you do the same when your oil pan or rear main leak? Drain the oil out and pump grease in? Is this the solution to an oil leak on a device engineered to use oil?

Mike V. Florida · 07-10-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTube

Ah, the old "my steering box leaks so I drained the oil out and put grease in" discussion.

I have to ask, if this is the logic being used, do you do the same when your oil pan or rear main leak? Drain the oil out and pump grease in? Is this the solution to an oil leak on a device engineered to use oil?

MrTube, you have been a member of this forum long enough to know that alot of people would rather find a quick fix then a proper one.

d.j. moordigian · 07-10-2012, 05:40 PM

Uhhh....

1. band-aid
2. cranky
3. put a diaper on it

spdway1 · 07-11-2012, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

MrTube, you have been a member of this forum long enough to know that alot of people would rather find a quick fix then a proper one.

I shower with it and it slows hair loss!

I would fix it the correct way!

Hunter · 07-11-2012, 09:38 AM

Rusty,

If it makes you fell any better I have gone through the same process as you and still have a very small leak (using 600W). I plan to take the column out and address it this winter. At least you were wise enough to test/fix the isuue before you installed the column in the car which is what I did

wrndln · 07-11-2012, 03:51 PM

Hunter,
I think I have the problem with the leaky bottom bolts fixed. It was a very easy solution and didn't require the column to be removed. At least it hasn't leaked for two weeks and running. Earlier I had put Permatex #2 on the surfaces of all the shims, the bottom plug and all the bolt threads and side plate. The very minor leaking was from the two bottom bolts. I removed the bottom bolts that were leaking and wrapped about 12 to 15 rounds of heavy cotton thread around the bolt just under the head. I then slid on the lock washer and then wrapped around the same amount of thread below the lock washer. I put some Permatex on the thread wrappings and reinstalled the bolts. I did this to both the bottom bolts as they were the only spots the oil was coming from. I was going to use cornhead grease, by maybe now I wont have to. If it starts leaking, next will be cornhead grease in the steering box.
Rusty

06-14-2012, 05:01 PM	#1
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,175	John Deere corn head grease Has anyone used corn head grease in the steering box of a model A? I am having trouble with minor leaks at the bottom of my 7 tooth column I just rebuilt. First I didn't use any sealer, like was advised here by a couple of Fordbarner, but it leaked. I used Permatex to seal the shims and threads on the bottom bolts, but one bolt has a slow leak - I don't know why. I was thinking of using corn head grease, as it is supposed to not leak and lubs well. I pasted in a link to a YouTube video about the grease. It sound great and is only about $4 a 11 oz tube. If anyone has used corn head grease in a steering column, please let me know how it worked. Rusty Nelson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEwk_sYP6A8

06-14-2012, 05:20 PM	#3
Ian NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Taranaki, New Zealand Posts: 922	Re: John Deere corn head grease I am using John Deere Cornhead grease in the steering box of my 1932 Ford and it is working well, no leaks as yet. I had a bit of a Job removing the 600W oil from the steering box with a suction gun and a thin plastic hose though. It was easy to fill the steering box with the Corn head grease as I just poured it out of the cartridge into the steering box as it was just like extra thick oil, you do not have to use a grease gun.

06-14-2012, 05:46 PM	#4
Bill Lee/Virginia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 295	Re: John Deere corn head grease Has anyone used this grease in the transmission or differential of a Model A Ford? What is your experience? Good? or Bad? Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula

06-14-2012, 07:53 PM	#5
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: John Deere corn head grease I mix 600W with grease to make the 600W thicker but so it will still flow. Leaks a little but not very much. I have those aftermarket tubes and straight 600W in a couple of my cars. They work really good.

06-14-2012, 10:11 PM	#6
jfrankhash Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wilsall, MT Posts: 28	Re: John Deere corn head grease Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Haven't tried it in the Miss Frances (1930 ccpu), but it is a well known steering gear fix for Farmall Letter series tractors from the 40's and 50's.

06-14-2012, 05:19 PM	#2
bogdonj Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Walkerton, Ont. Canada Posts: 623	Re: John Deere corn head grease I only use corn head grease on my U Joint.. not sure if it should go in the steering box. You may have to heat it up to get it in if you do.. __________________ _________________________________________ 1931 Ford Model A Tudor 1930 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster 1930 Ford Original Rolling Chassis- Restoring

06-14-2012, 10:49 PM	#7
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,393	Re: John Deere corn head grease Penn-Rite steering box lube, comes in a bottle. Available from Restoration Supply, Escondida, CA. They have an online catalog. About $14 plus shipping. I put in 600w and it all leaked out. Put Penn-Rite in and NO leaks in over a year. JMO Paul in CT

06-15-2012, 08:44 AM	#8
Chris in WNC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spruce Pine, NC Posts: 1,463	Re: John Deere corn head grease use STP- it leaks out slower than gear oil....... with corn head grease or any other grease you will eliminate most leaks but also eliminate most lubrication of the steering gears...... __________________ our next Model A is out there in the unknown...... Last edited by Chris in WNC; 06-16-2012 at 06:48 AM.

06-15-2012, 08:58 AM	#9
jmaotto Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 15	Re: John Deere corn head grease Cornhead grease works well in my Ford 8N tractor.

06-15-2012, 10:43 AM	#10
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,123	Re: John Deere corn head grease OK, So IF, and that's a big IF, I were to decide to put the corn head grease in my U-joint, would I have to clean out all the other stuff in there, or just begin adding it as needed. It currently has that Mystic jt6 in it right now, but I need to add more, I'm sure. (I'm sure there's not a full tube in there)

06-15-2012, 12:21 PM	#11
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,175	Re: John Deere corn head grease CarlG, Does your U joint leak? If it doesn't, I would keep using Mystic JT6. If JT6 is leaking, I am not sure corn head grease wouldn't leak also, as JT6 is very thick compared to gear oil. I was concerned about the steering column with Mobil 680 gear oil in it with a very slow leak. I hate leaks! It is the only thing that leaks on my newly assembled chassis (so far anyway). I think corn head grease would work pretty well in the transmission and differential as well as the steering box after seeing the YouTube video. I just checked with a local John Deere dealer and they have corn head grease for about $3.50 an 11oz tube - not to bad. Rusty Nelson

06-15-2012, 12:26 PM	#12
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: John Deere corn head grease Rusty, I liked the YouTube video.....is that stuff EP?

07-10-2012, 01:51 PM	#13
Rebel Sympathy Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: North Alabama Posts: 159	Re: John Deere corn head grease You do not eliminate lubrication with corn head grease. While it is a grease, it is continously in a state of flux; turn the wheel and the grease settlles back into the air pocket created by the movement of the worm and sector. It works great. I have used it for years. In one instance the leak was so bad that the corn head grease still oozed out over time. Other than that, it has been great. Mike __________________ **"There is no 'normal life'; there's just life." - Doc Holliday from the film Tombstone**

07-10-2012, 02:44 PM	#14
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,833	Re: John Deere corn head grease I recently put some John Deere multi-lube in the steering box of my 39 pickup with good results.

07-10-2012, 02:58 PM	#15
MrTube Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,471	Re: John Deere corn head grease Ah, the old "my steering box leaks so I drained the oil out and put grease in" discussion. I have to ask, if this is the logic being used, do you do the same when your oil pan or rear main leak? Drain the oil out and pump grease in? Is this the solution to an oil leak on a device engineered to use oil?

07-10-2012, 05:40 PM	#17
d.j. moordigian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 3,636	Re: John Deere corn head grease Uhhh.... 1. band-aid 2. cranky 3. put a diaper on it

07-11-2012, 09:38 AM	#19
Hunter Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland Posts: 518	Re: John Deere corn head grease Rusty, If it makes you fell any better I have gone through the same process as you and still have a very small leak (using 600W). I plan to take the column out and address it this winter. At least you were wise enough to test/fix the isuue before you installed the column in the car which is what I did

07-11-2012, 03:51 PM	#20
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,175	Re: John Deere corn head grease Hunter, I think I have the problem with the leaky bottom bolts fixed. It was a very easy solution and didn't require the column to be removed. At least it hasn't leaked for two weeks and running. Earlier I had put Permatex #2 on the surfaces of all the shims, the bottom plug and all the bolt threads and side plate. The very minor leaking was from the two bottom bolts. I removed the bottom bolts that were leaking and wrapped about 12 to 15 rounds of heavy cotton thread around the bolt just under the head. I then slid on the lock washer and then wrapped around the same amount of thread below the lock washer. I put some Permatex on the thread wrappings and reinstalled the bolts. I did this to both the bottom bolts as they were the only spots the oil was coming from. I was going to use cornhead grease, by maybe now I wont have to. If it starts leaking, next will be cornhead grease in the steering box. Rusty