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Old 09-09-2021, 06:27 PM   #1
marty in Ohio
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Default steering gear leaking

Here's a new one on me. Today I went out to the garage and found that the gear lube had leaked out of the steering gear on my '30 town sedan with a two tooth box. The gear was rebuilt two years ago and never showed a drop on the garage floor. When I looked underneath I found that the 600W was running down the pitman arm. When I got the car, 28 years ago the gear was full of chassis grease. The car was parked for 6 days. What would cause the lube to run out so fast?
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Old 09-09-2021, 07:22 PM   #2
Gene F
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Hmmm. I don't know. I will say this though. Sector shaft bushings are not the same as water pump bushings. Yes they fit, but only one half of the bushing(s) have a lubricant groove. The water pump ones have groves all the way across. Watch what your supplier ships to you! I got mine at Sacramento Vintage years ago. I have a 7-tooth.
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Old 09-09-2021, 10:18 PM   #3
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

If it was rebuilt two years ago with needle bearings and a seal on the end of the housing, then the seal has failed. If it was rebuilt with bushings, then the sector bushings have worn.
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Old 09-10-2021, 01:34 PM   #4
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

I’ve seen the sector almost dry on some and the box packed with grease . Worse is as mentioned about no groove in the bush
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Old 09-10-2021, 01:41 PM   #5
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

John Deere cornhead grease.
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Old 09-10-2021, 03:12 PM   #6
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

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Marty,

I have solved the same problem very simple. On the outer end of the gear sector shaft, I slipped a tight O-ring over against the gear case. Then the shaft on this area coated with thin bearing grease. Then spread a lot of silicone sealant all around and then mounted the steering against the side plate.

This is now 1 year/2000 ml over and it comes out very rarely some oil haze.
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Old 09-10-2021, 03:37 PM   #7
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Penrite steering box lube is a good product. Really does a good job for leaky steering boxes.
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Old 09-11-2021, 07:21 AM   #8
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Thanks for all your posts. Since I refilled the steering gearbox with 600W nothing has dripped out. Can't figure this one out. Another Model A friend suggested filling the box with John Deere cornhead grease if the 600W runs out again. For right now I'm just going to keep and eye on it. I'll report if the original problem continues.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
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Old 09-12-2021, 09:59 AM   #9
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Found the JD cornead to liquify/separate with use and heat. Removed it and used 1500w (or Penrite as suggested). Most of the vendors' 600w is essentially modern 140wt. gear lube.
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Old 09-13-2021, 06:50 AM   #10
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

I've researched a little on Penrite. I see it comes from New Zealand and there is a distributor on the west coast, but I can't find it locally. Somewhere I saw that it was available at Summit Racing, but when I checked their website there was nothing called Penrite. So where do you find it. By the way still no new leaks.
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Old 09-13-2021, 07:04 AM   #11
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

I have dealt with this on used and rebuilt boxes not only for Model A Fords but my '37 and a '39 V8 Ford. Penrite is the answer.
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Old 09-14-2021, 09:02 PM   #12
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Yes, but where can I get it?
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Old 09-14-2021, 10:56 PM   #13
Ivan in southeast va.
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Restoration Supply Company in California
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Old 09-15-2021, 07:24 AM   #14
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Thanks Ivan, that's what I was looking for. And thanks to all.
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Old 09-16-2021, 01:00 AM   #15
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

Quote:
Originally Posted by marty in Ohio View Post
I've researched a little on Penrite. I see it comes from New Zealand ...
Marty

Cough ... cough ... arrrrrgh
Reaching for a glass of water.
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Old 09-16-2021, 05:26 PM   #16
NZ28ModelA
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Talking Re: steering gear leaking

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Originally Posted by updraught View Post
Cough ... cough ... arrrrrgh
Reaching for a glass of water.

Ha ha ha ha!!!!
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Old 09-17-2021, 07:09 AM   #17
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Default Re: steering gear leaking

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