The Ford Barn

lrjones · 02-12-2017, 10:13 AM

I recently installed a rebuilt 2 tooth steering gear. It is functioning just fine but I have a small oil leak from the area of the sector thrust screw or jam nut. Not a big leak but I don't think it should be leaking at all after being professionally rebuilt. Has anyone had a leak there or have any ideas about how to stop it. Thank you.

Mitch//pa · 02-12-2017, 10:19 AM

I use a modern car oil drain plug sealing washer with a rubber design under the nut... i have tried rtv ( right stuff etc) but had them still seep.. a side note the washer is not detectable to hinder judging...
You wont lose any strg oil doing it this way

If u want one pm me your info and ill mail it out... i have a bin full of them

jw hash · 02-12-2017, 11:14 AM

if you put TO MUCH oil in the two tooth box, they will leak out of the split in the housing. if you clean it up real good maybe you can get some RTV to stick and seal it.

Marshall V. Daut · 02-12-2017, 11:54 AM

Larry -
Bummer! We have exchanged mails about your steering box rebuild. I thought all was well. These things don't usually leak where yours is leaking. I suspect that during the rebuild, a new sector thrust adjusting set screw may have been installed in an 85 year-old threaded hole. If it is slightly undersized, fluid will eventually work its way past the threads and start dripping, even a thick molasses like 600w. You might try removing the nut and wrapping a few turns of a heavy sewing thread around the threads near where the adjusting set screw ("plug") enters the housing. Perhaps coat the thread with a shellac or Indian Head goop first, followed by another coating with the sewing thread in place. Then carefully tighten the large nut. This will force the sewing thread against the housing body and reduce or even eliminate the tendency of the lube to drip past the adjusting set screw's threads.
Because the housing is full of lubricant now, removing the plug to coat the entire length of threads won't work. The goop will ooze out. Maybe you could sacrifice the lube inside by removing the nut and adjusting screw and allowing the level to get below the hole's bottom. Once drained as much as possible, jack the right side of the car up so that the remaining goop will flow to the opposite side of the hole. Then you could clean out the housing's threaded hole with alcohol or acrylic lacquer thinner, as well as the "plug" itself. Coat both with a sealant such as Permatex #2 and reassemble, adjusting the sector shaft's end play if the nut's position has changed or it was removed. Allow to set up for a few hours before putting fluid back in. You might try the fiber washer suggestion beneath the nut, too.
While you have the adjusting screw out, test fit it to see if it is actually too loose. If so, try a different one, preferably an original.
Marshall

1931 flamingo · 02-12-2017, 06:58 PM

PenRite steering box lube = NO leaky. FWIW
Paul in CT

CWPASADENA · 02-12-2017, 11:53 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

PenRite steering box lube = NO leaky. FWIW
Paul in CT

I agree!!!

Chris W.

lrjones · 02-13-2017, 07:20 AM

Can I syringe out the 600W and mix what's left with Penrite or wouldn't they mix well together?

Mitch//pa · 02-13-2017, 07:33 AM

Ill hold off on sending the washer out for free that we PM'ed about till you figure things out

Have a great day

1931 flamingo · 02-13-2017, 06:35 PM

reply to #7

Yes that should work OK, OR take Mitch up on his generous offer.
Paul in CT

lrjones · 02-13-2017, 09:38 PM

I did

lrjones · 02-20-2017, 07:52 PM

An update on my oil leak. Mitch sent me an oil drain plug sealing washer to put over the sector thrust screw behind the jam nut and after 3 days it hasn't shown any sign of leaking yet. The washer was metal with a rubber center and fit pretty tight of the screw but looks like it's going to work out fine. Thanks Mitch and thank you Marshall for your ideas as well.

02-12-2017, 10:13 AM	#1
lrjones Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brooklyn Michigan Posts: 53	Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking I recently installed a rebuilt 2 tooth steering gear. It is functioning just fine but I have a small oil leak from the area of the sector thrust screw or jam nut. Not a big leak but I don't think it should be leaking at all after being professionally rebuilt. Has anyone had a leak there or have any ideas about how to stop it. Thank you.

02-12-2017, 11:14 AM	#3
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,552	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking if you put TO MUCH oil in the two tooth box, they will leak out of the split in the housing. if you clean it up real good maybe you can get some RTV to stick and seal it.

02-12-2017, 11:54 AM	#4
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,109	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking Larry - Bummer! We have exchanged mails about your steering box rebuild. I thought all was well. These things don't usually leak where yours is leaking. I suspect that during the rebuild, a new sector thrust adjusting set screw may have been installed in an 85 year-old threaded hole. If it is slightly undersized, fluid will eventually work its way past the threads and start dripping, even a thick molasses like 600w. You might try removing the nut and wrapping a few turns of a heavy sewing thread around the threads near where the adjusting set screw ("plug") enters the housing. Perhaps coat the thread with a shellac or Indian Head goop first, followed by another coating with the sewing thread in place. Then carefully tighten the large nut. This will force the sewing thread against the housing body and reduce or even eliminate the tendency of the lube to drip past the adjusting set screw's threads. Because the housing is full of lubricant now, removing the plug to coat the entire length of threads won't work. The goop will ooze out. Maybe you could sacrifice the lube inside by removing the nut and adjusting screw and allowing the level to get below the hole's bottom. Once drained as much as possible, jack the right side of the car up so that the remaining goop will flow to the opposite side of the hole. Then you could clean out the housing's threaded hole with alcohol or acrylic lacquer thinner, as well as the "plug" itself. Coat both with a sealant such as Permatex #2 and reassemble, adjusting the sector shaft's end play if the nut's position has changed or it was removed. Allow to set up for a few hours before putting fluid back in. You might try the fiber washer suggestion beneath the nut, too. While you have the adjusting screw out, test fit it to see if it is actually too loose. If so, try a different one, preferably an original. Marshall

02-12-2017, 06:58 PM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking PenRite steering box lube = NO leaky. FWIW Paul in CT

02-13-2017, 07:33 AM	#8
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking Ill hold off on sending the washer out for free that we PM'ed about till you figure things out Have a great day Last edited by Mitch//pa; 02-13-2017 at 08:04 AM.

02-12-2017, 10:19 AM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking I use a modern car oil drain plug sealing washer with a rubber design under the nut... i have tried rtv ( right stuff etc) but had them still seep.. a side note the washer is not detectable to hinder judging... You wont lose any strg oil doing it this way If u want one pm me your info and ill mail it out... i have a bin full of them Last edited by Mitch//pa; 02-12-2017 at 12:03 PM.

02-13-2017, 07:20 AM	#7
lrjones Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brooklyn Michigan Posts: 53	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking Can I syringe out the 600W and mix what's left with Penrite or wouldn't they mix well together?

02-13-2017, 06:35 PM	#9
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking reply to #7 Yes that should work OK, OR take Mitch up on his generous offer. Paul in CT

02-13-2017, 09:38 PM	#10
lrjones Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brooklyn Michigan Posts: 53	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking I did

02-20-2017, 07:52 PM	#11
lrjones Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Brooklyn Michigan Posts: 53	Re: Rebuilt Steering Box Leaking An update on my oil leak. Mitch sent me an oil drain plug sealing washer to put over the sector thrust screw behind the jam nut and after 3 days it hasn't shown any sign of leaking yet. The washer was metal with a rubber center and fit pretty tight of the screw but looks like it's going to work out fine. Thanks Mitch and thank you Marshall for your ideas as well.