Rebuilt steering box leaks

[3twinridges]

I recently rebuilt two steering boxes, one on our 52 F1 and one on our 50 F1. I used cornhead grease in one and penn-rite in the other. They both are dripping from what appears to be the bolts on the bottom, that hold the bottom plate with the horn wire tube. Those plates are nos and are not leaking, I think it is coming through one of the bolt threads that is open to the inside of the box. Either that or it’s seeping through the paper shim gaskets. Any thoughts on how to stop those leaks? It’s not bad, just the only leak I have and it bugs me LOL!

JB

[69a]

Try removing the split spring washers and replace them with flat washers. If the oil is coming down the thread it will come out through the spring washer. Don't over tighten them. Thoroughly clean the end plate and keep a close eye on it to see where the first sign of oil comes from.

[1948F-1Pickup]

Originally Posted by 3twinridges

I recently rebuilt two steering boxes, one on our 52 F1 and one on our 50 F1. I used cornhead grease in one and penn-rite in the other. They both are dripping from what appears to be the bolts on the bottom, that hold the bottom plate with the horn wire tube. Those plates are nos and are not leaking, I think it is coming through one of the bolt threads that is open to the inside of the box. Either that or it’s seeping through the paper shim gaskets. Any thoughts on how to stop those leaks? It’s not bad, just the only leak I have and it bugs me LOL!

JB

Just use a drop of blue loctite on the threads of each of the bolts. It won’t leak from those again.

[3twinridges]

Originally Posted by 69a

Try removing the split spring washers and replace them with flat washers. If the oil is coming down the thread it will come out through the spring washer. Don't over tighten them. Thoroughly clean the end plate and keep a close eye on it to see where the first sign of oil comes from.

I don’t have any washers on those bolts, the parts book did not show them in that location?

JB

[3twinridges]

Originally Posted by 1948F-1Pickup

Just use a drop of blue loctite on the threads of each of the bolts. It won’t leak from those again.

Ok, any advice for cleaning out the thread grooves before I use loctite?

JB

[corvette8n]

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Brake parts cleaner and a thread chaser. I was lucky enough to get a set of Craftsman thread chasers when our Sears was going out of business.

[3twinridges]

Thank you folks.

JB

[hotcoupe]

I would use "Loctite 567",it is a thread sealer. It's expensive, but worth it.
Tom

[1948F-1Pickup]

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

I would use "Loctite 567",it is a thread sealer. It's expensive, but worth it.
Tom

Yup. That'd be fine too. Once upon a time Loctite was marketed as a refrigerant thread sealant for joints. I want to say the red one. Henkel has gotten more sophisticated over the years and now has specific products like 567 that didn't exist in their original product line.

[cadillac512]

Good suggestions. If threads are difficult to keep dry while installing the bolts, teflon tape will give good results.


Terry