Grease in the steering gear

[29restorod]

I decided to check the oil in my 29 Gemmer steering gear yesterday. I was surprised to find a black grease,instead of 600 weight oil. Is this a common thing,or a poor fix for another problem?

[J Franklin]

Poor fix.

[Patrick L.]

And also a common thing too.. Does yours have a fill plug or a grease fitting ?? Many have grease fittings and back in the day shops would fill a grease gun with heavy oil..

[29restorod]

Mine has a plug. I seem to remember reading on this forum about using John Deere oil or grease for a corn picker.

[700rpm]

Use 600W. You may have to take your box apart and clean it so the 600W works correctly.

[Patrick L.]

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If the box is in good shape then you could just try to get as much grease out of it as you can without taking it apart.. If you don't mind a bit of a leak, then just fill it with heavy oil like 600W or at least 250 wgt.. The grease and oil will end up mixing..
The corn head grease has been used by some fellas in the u-joint housing..

[Peter J]

STP also works well. No high speed gear issues and thick enough it doesn't leak.

[Kurt in NJ]

The "black stuiff" could be something like bentonite oil --if you dip a screwdriver in it will it slowiy fill the divot back in, and sort of run off the end of the screwdriver a little ---even if it is grease adding the proper oil will lube the gear by filling in the space movement makes in grease

[1931 flamingo]

Penn Rite steering box lube, Restoration Specialties, Escondido, CA, doesn't leak out, about 12-12 $ + shipping, on line catalog
Paul in CT

[29restorod]

It is definetly grease,looks like chassis grease,or wheel bearing grease. I may try adding some 600.

[mccsix]

1955-? Chevy boxes initially called for oil , later factory service bulletins changed that over to grease, because of leaks........end of leak problems and it didn't affect the box.

[howie123]

I took some bad advice and filled my steering box with grease. After reading posts on the Fordbarn, I removed as much grease as possible through the fill plug opening. I then refilled with the Penrite steering box lube. I have not noticed any leaks and it steers much easier.

[J Franklin]

Gene, that chevy box is a bit different than the Ford one. I have added light oil to a '36 Chevrolet box that was filled with grease and it seemed to mix and thin the grease.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

The "black stuiff" could be something like bentonite oil --if you dip a screwdriver in it will it slowiy fill the divot back in, and sort of run off the end of the screwdriver a little ---even if it is grease adding the proper oil will lube the gear by filling in the space movement makes in grease

Exactly!
I'd just leave the grease and add the heavy gear oil and not worry about it.

[mack4759]

1931 Flamingo,

I tried looking on Google for Restoration Specialties, Escondido, CA and couldn't find them. Can you direct me to their online catalog?

Thanks,
Robert

[Napa Skip]

Ok, here goes. If you have access to the May-June 1998 “Model ‘A’ News” (Vol 45 No. 3), there is an article entitled “Best Steering Gear Grease” by Herman Reheis of Monticello GA, discussing his use of Ford Steering Gear Grease, Ford Part No. C3AZ-19578A. Mr. Reheis asked George DeAngelis if he was aware of this product (which he wasn’t). Mr. DeAngelis looked into the matter and responded to Herman with a letter and 3 pages of data from the Ford archives, the bottom line (as Mr. Reheis states in his “Model ‘A’ News” article) being that Ford responded to the effect that the product was a “grease used as a long life lubricant for steering gear housings and is expected to last for the life of the vehicle.” Mr. Reheis goes on to state that he had (as of 1998) used this grease for over 30 years in the restoration of more than 50 steering gears. A couple of years ago the local Ford parts department crossed this part number for me to a Motorcraft product, Ford Part No. CGX-1C, which has Ford Specification ESA-M1C75B.

[Dare I say the following? Oh, why not...] This is the product I've used in my 2-tooth steering gear for several years now, with no problems.

I will - as they say - await the firestorm off-line...

[29restorod]

Napa Skip, thanks for that information. I know George Deangelis,and live close to him. I drove my "T" hot rod by his house today,I usually see him at the local swapmeets. I will never know what grease is in the box right now. I guess since it ain't broke I will leave it alone,or just add a little 600.

[Roger V]

Originally Posted by Napa Skip

Ok, here goes. If you have access to the May-June 1998 “Model ‘A’ News” (Vol 45 No. 3), there is an article entitled “Best Steering Gear Grease” by Herman Reheis of Monticello GA, discussing his use of Ford Steering Gear Grease, Ford Part No. C3AZ-19578A. Mr. Reheis asked George DeAngelis if he was aware of this product (which he wasn’t). Mr. DeAngelis looked into the matter and responded to Herman with a letter and 3 pages of data from the Ford archives, the bottom line (as Mr. Reheis states in his “Model ‘A’ News” article) being that Ford responded to the effect that the product was a “grease used as a long life lubricant for steering gear housings and is expected to last for the life of the vehicle.” Mr. Reheis goes on to state that he had (as of 1998) used this grease for over 30 years in the restoration of more than 50 steering gears. A couple of years ago the local Ford parts department crossed this part number for me to a Motorcraft product, Ford Part No. CGX-1C, which has Ford Specification ESA-M1C75B.

[Dare I say the following? Oh, why not...] This is the product I've used in my 2-tooth steering gear for several years now, with no problems.

I will - as they say - await the firestorm off-line...

No firestorm from me. I've heard that grease in the Model A days was undesirable in a steering box because it would wipe off the gears. Later and for sure now, greases have been developed that cling to the gear. If Ford has a more current spec that is for steering, I can't imagine it wouldn't work. I also go along with adding 250 weight if grease is already in there. It will mix and cover the gears. Though Penrite is supposedly an oil and stated as 1200 weight, it sure has the consistency of grease.

[Tom Endy]

Originally Posted by mack4759

1931 Flamingo,

I tried looking on Google for Restoration Specialties, Escondido, CA and couldn't find them. Can you direct me to their online catalog?

Thanks,
Robert

Restoration Supply Company
15182-B Highland Valley Road
Escondito, CA 92025
800-306-7008
www.restorationstuff.com
[email protected]

Penrite steering box lube, part number LUB009


Tom Endy

[1931 flamingo]

Tom: My bad, thanks for updating. A little CRS
Paul in CT

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Lubricating the bushings in the sector shaft housing will not be as good with heavier grease because it won't flow in to that area like an oil. Compounds like 600w will flow into the gaps even though it is a "thick oil" or "lube".