The Ford Barn

53Customline · 07-20-2022, 07:26 PM

What is best to flush a steering box with diesel or clear kerosene?

Oil drained & off car so I am able shake & flush several times to hopefully loosen up sludge.

Car is 1953 Customline

Don’t want to disassemble unless necessary

Thanks for your advice

Randy in Raleigh

fordor41 · 07-20-2022, 10:06 PM

I would think diesel or kero would work. at least you'll have some film left on the inside parts in case you rotate the input shaft to get it clean

highbeams · 07-21-2022, 05:48 AM

Why would you flush a steering box? The 'sludge' is obviously oil remnant; you have seen sludge in the steering box? . The steering box is not a combustion chamber. Oil change in a combustion chamber is necessary; but in a steering box with subtle moving parts?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

53Customline · 07-21-2022, 08:39 PM

Fordor41 Thanks for your replay.
I agreed both will work, hoping someone had experienced this and steer me clear if damages might occur.
The petroleum additive in both products will hopefully eat away the sludge in the corners when agitation applied & mix well enough when refilled with oil. After through draining.
Randy
Steering box sat garaged for nearly 50 years.

53Customline · 07-21-2022, 08:50 PM

Highbeams
See my previous response regarding how long will the box has been sitting.
Currently box is draining & oil is thick & filty black. I am figuring sludge is same as rear axle was when it was cleaned out

If there is something I am missing please let me know.
This car is important to me.
I move slow but t study hard & questions

Answers, advice & stop don’t do that are all welcome
Thanks
Randy in Raleigh

Pete · 07-22-2022, 04:09 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

That particular box can NOT be cleaned properly without disassembly.

highbeams · 07-22-2022, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 53Customline

Highbeams
See my previous response regarding how long will the box has been sitting.
Currently box is draining & oil is thick & filty black. I am figuring sludge is same as rear axle was when it was cleaned out

If there is something I am missing please let me know.
This car is important to me.
I move slow but t study hard & questions

Answers, advice & stop don’t do that are all welcome
Thanks
Randy in Raleigh

Thank you, Randy.

I apologize; my ignorance.
- highbeams.

Clem Clement · 07-22-2022, 09:38 PM

I thought I would fill the box with kerosene jack
up the front end and exercise the box. Then use air pressure to force the mess out of the box 2/3times and fill with corn he3ad grease.

53Customline · 07-23-2022, 09:06 PM

Thanks all for the replies.
Will post the results.
Hope the seals hold up.
Randy

highbeams · 07-24-2022, 07:41 PM

got sludge?

https://www.machinerylubrication.com.../gear-oil-life

07-20-2022, 07:26 PM	#1
53Customline Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 32	Flushing a steering box What is best to flush a steering box with diesel or clear kerosene? Oil drained & off car so I am able shake & flush several times to hopefully loosen up sludge. Car is 1953 Customline Don’t want to disassemble unless necessary Thanks for your advice Randy in Raleigh

07-20-2022, 10:06 PM	#2
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: Flushing a steering box I would think diesel or kero would work. at least you'll have some film left on the inside parts in case you rotate the input shaft to get it clean

07-21-2022, 05:48 AM	#3
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 802	Re: Flushing a steering box Why would you flush a steering box? The 'sludge' is obviously oil remnant; you have seen sludge in the steering box? . The steering box is not a combustion chamber. Oil change in a combustion chamber is necessary; but in a steering box with subtle moving parts? Thanks in advance for your reply.

07-21-2022, 08:39 PM	#4
53Customline Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 32	Re: Flushing a steering box Fordor41 Thanks for your replay. I agreed both will work, hoping someone had experienced this and steer me clear if damages might occur. The petroleum additive in both products will hopefully eat away the sludge in the corners when agitation applied & mix well enough when refilled with oil. After through draining. Randy Steering box sat garaged for nearly 50 years.

07-21-2022, 08:50 PM	#5
53Customline Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 32	Re: Flushing a steering box Highbeams See my previous response regarding how long will the box has been sitting. Currently box is draining & oil is thick & filty black. I am figuring sludge is same as rear axle was when it was cleaned out If there is something I am missing please let me know. This car is important to me. I move slow but t study hard & questions Answers, advice & stop don’t do that are all welcome Thanks Randy in Raleigh

07-22-2022, 04:09 PM	#6
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Flushing a steering box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That particular box can NOT be cleaned properly without disassembly.

07-22-2022, 09:38 PM	#8
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,393	Re: Flushing a steering box I thought I would fill the box with kerosene jack up the front end and exercise the box. Then use air pressure to force the mess out of the box 2/3times and fill with corn he3ad grease.

07-23-2022, 09:06 PM	#9
53Customline Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 32	Re: Flushing a steering box Thanks all for the replies. Will post the results. Hope the seals hold up. Randy

07-24-2022, 07:41 PM	#10
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 802	Re: Flushing a steering box got sludge? https://www.machinerylubrication.com.../gear-oil-life