The Ford Barn

Ron Lachniet · 12-30-2013, 04:29 PM

I was reading about using corn head grease in a steering box but living in a cold climate it seemed too thick in cold weather. I know corn head grease flows when it is cold if the gears are moving fast but steering gears hardly move at all. I decided to mix corn head grease with Lucas gear oil about 50/50 and heat it on the stove and mix it together. I then put the mixture outdoors for an hour in 25 degree temperature. It got a little bit thicker but I could still pour it out and it really stuck to a screwdriver blade. I think this is a steering box lube that is less likely to leak and do a good job of keeping everything well lubricated. any thoughts?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 12-30-2013, 04:40 PM

Sounds good as long as it will stay in a liquid form and not turn into a solid. Also, just remember that a properly fitted sector to the bushings won't leak anyway.

Bob/Kansas City · 12-30-2013, 05:15 PM

You might want to take a look at Pennrite Steering Box Lube from Restoration Supply Co. It's heavy enough not to leak but stays fluid enough to flow. I use it in my '29 where I had a slow leak from the sector shaft housing that really didn't merit a teardown to repair and the Pennrite turned out to be a good band aid for the leak.

1931 flamingo · 12-30-2013, 05:26 PM

Ditto on PennRite.
Paul in CT

4118truck · 12-30-2013, 07:14 PM

Just used Pennrite, and am pleased.

RHD · 12-30-2013, 09:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Penrite Steering Box Lube is so good, I use it on my breakfast cereal in the mornings.

MikeK · 12-30-2013, 10:31 PM

Penrite definitely tastes better than Vegemite.

Ron Lachniet · 12-31-2013, 10:40 AM

Thanks to all for your input. I do have new gaskets and seals in my steering box but from what I have read they originally used a very heavy lube that is hard to find. I think Pennrite sounds like the ideal oil, but being Dutch and having these ingredients on hand I think this comes close to the same consistency.

1wonton · 12-31-2013, 10:45 AM

I use STP.

springerpete · 12-31-2013, 11:21 AM

RHD: Now we all know why you turned out the way you did !

shall · 12-31-2013, 01:08 PM

Penrite here as well...but not on my cereal.

Terry,NJ · 12-31-2013, 03:04 PM

The proper oil for Mod A gearboxes (Trans, Rear, Steering box) is 600W Steam Cylinder oil. Believe it or not, it's still available! The 600W Is just a name, It's really only about 280 weight. The thing to remember is that the worst oils of today are better than the best oils of 1930. Translation, Put anything you like in there! Just remember, It shouldn't leak out. Some modern oils will. And it has to be thick enough that it stops the gears so you can shift. And of course it must lubricate! Some use straight STP. I am using a 50/50 mix of STP and Lucas "Oil Stabiliser" It seems to work OK. A while ago, someone used Lucas "Hub Oil", there were mixed reviews! But It's hard to go wrong!
Terry

Mitch//pa · 12-31-2013, 03:10 PM

terry are todays oils better than yesterdays?

happy new year buddy spring is coming

dave in australia · 12-31-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

Penrite definitely tastes better than Vegemite.

So you don't have vegemite half an inch thick on your toast in the morning?

12-30-2013, 04:29 PM	#1
Ron Lachniet Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lowell MI Posts: 167	Steering box lube I was reading about using corn head grease in a steering box but living in a cold climate it seemed too thick in cold weather. I know corn head grease flows when it is cold if the gears are moving fast but steering gears hardly move at all. I decided to mix corn head grease with Lucas gear oil about 50/50 and heat it on the stove and mix it together. I then put the mixture outdoors for an hour in 25 degree temperature. It got a little bit thicker but I could still pour it out and it really stuck to a screwdriver blade. I think this is a steering box lube that is less likely to leak and do a good job of keeping everything well lubricated. any thoughts?

12-30-2013, 04:40 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,519	Re: Steering box lube Sounds good as long as it will stay in a liquid form and not turn into a solid. Also, just remember that a properly fitted sector to the bushings won't leak anyway. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

12-30-2013, 05:15 PM	#3
Bob/Kansas City Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 340	Re: Steering box lube You might want to take a look at Pennrite Steering Box Lube from Restoration Supply Co. It's heavy enough not to leak but stays fluid enough to flow. I use it in my '29 where I had a slow leak from the sector shaft housing that really didn't merit a teardown to repair and the Pennrite turned out to be a good band aid for the leak.

12-30-2013, 05:26 PM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Steering box lube Ditto on PennRite. Paul in CT

12-30-2013, 07:14 PM	#5
4118truck Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Highlands, NC Posts: 40	Re: Steering box lube Just used Pennrite, and am pleased.

12-30-2013, 09:36 PM	#6
RHD Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Zealand Posts: 670	Re: Steering box lube Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Penrite Steering Box Lube is so good, I use it on my breakfast cereal in the mornings. __________________ R.H.D. Author of Model 'A' Ford technical manuals. Supplier of good original RHD parts.

12-30-2013, 10:31 PM	#7
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Steering box lube Penrite definitely tastes better than Vegemite.

12-31-2013, 10:40 AM	#8
Ron Lachniet Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lowell MI Posts: 167	Re: Steering box lube Thanks to all for your input. I do have new gaskets and seals in my steering box but from what I have read they originally used a very heavy lube that is hard to find. I think Pennrite sounds like the ideal oil, but being Dutch and having these ingredients on hand I think this comes close to the same consistency.

12-31-2013, 10:45 AM	#9
1wonton BANNED Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Vallejo, Ca Posts: 125	Re: Steering box lube I use STP.

12-31-2013, 11:21 AM	#10
springerpete Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Maine Posts: 644	Re: Steering box lube RHD: Now we all know why you turned out the way you did !

12-31-2013, 01:08 PM	#11
shall Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Summit Station, Ohio Posts: 81	Re: Steering box lube Penrite here as well...but not on my cereal.

12-31-2013, 03:04 PM	#12
Terry,NJ Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northern Bucks Co. Pa Posts: 632	Re: Steering box lube The proper oil for Mod A gearboxes (Trans, Rear, Steering box) is 600W Steam Cylinder oil. Believe it or not, it's still available! The 600W Is just a name, It's really only about 280 weight. The thing to remember is that the worst oils of today are better than the best oils of 1930. Translation, Put anything you like in there! Just remember, It shouldn't leak out. Some modern oils will. And it has to be thick enough that it stops the gears so you can shift. And of course it must lubricate! Some use straight STP. I am using a 50/50 mix of STP and Lucas "Oil Stabiliser" It seems to work OK. A while ago, someone used Lucas "Hub Oil", there were mixed reviews! But It's hard to go wrong! Terry

12-31-2013, 03:10 PM	#13
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Steering box lube terry are todays oils better than yesterdays? happy new year buddy spring is coming