Steering box grease?

[alumcantandthd]

HI, have a question reguarding all you steering box lubricant gurus.

John Deere Cornhead grease seems to be the 'go-to' lubricant you guys (including later 1930's) use in yer steering boxes.

What are your opinions on, Cotton Picker Spindle Grease 00? (Tractor Supply has it) It was highly recommended to me over the Cornhead grease.

Also opinions, on mixing (blue) STP in with the steering box lubricant?

Thank.

[JKY]

We don't use grease. Opened a couple that had been greased and it was all caked around the casing and nothing was on the actual gears. Cornhead may be different. Don't use it. We use 600W which we make with about 50/50 145W gear oil and STP blue.

[alexiskai]

I would read through this thread, it's the most recent full discussion on this topic.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...n+00&showall=1

[alumcantandthd]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

I would read through this thread, it's the most recent full discussion on this topic.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...n+00&showall=1

Thanks!

[Randy in ca]

Originally Posted by JKY

We don't use grease. Opened a couple that had been greased and it was all caked around the casing and nothing was on the actual gears. Cornhead may be different. Don't use it. We use 600W which we make with about 50/50 145W gear oil and STP blue.

Why would you tell someone not to use something that it would seem you know nothing about?

[alexiskai]

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I'll add that I did buy a bottle of the Champion 00 grease that Brent recommended and I put it in my 7-tooth steering box. The first time I put it all back together, I did the steering cover gasket wrong and it leaked a lot. So I took it apart, and I observed that the Champion 00 did an excellent job clinging to the gears, even after a lot of it had leaked out. I repaired the gasket and refilled the box and it hasn't leaked since.

[WHN]

Originally Posted by alumcantandthd

HI, have a question reguarding all you steering box lubricant gurus.

John Deere Cornhead grease seems to be the 'go-to' lubricant you guys (including later 1930's) use in yer steering boxes.

What are your opinions on, Cotton Picker Spindle Grease 00? (Tractor Supply has it) It was highly recommended to me over the Cornhead grease.

Also opinions, on mixing (blue) STP in with the steering box lubricant?

Thank.

I personally like the John Deere Cornhead grease and see no reason to change. I do think your other two mentioned options would work but why change?

This is one of those minor things, that we spend to much time on.

Enjoy.

[alexiskai]

I have a theory that the reason we spend so much time on it is that, unlike the motor oil or transmission or rear end, it's a PITA to change the steering box fluid and also a pain to re-do the seals if it leaks, so people stress about doing it right the first time.

[alumcantandthd]

I'm 'not' changing lubricants, or a 'brand name' of lubricant. I have newly rebuilt steering box and was addressing what would be today's better lubricant to put in it.

'Today's' worst lubricant made, is way better than 'yesterday's' best lubricant.

I was told that the 'molasses' viscosity of the Cotton Picker Spindle Grease 00 would be better in lubricating low speed gears, than the thicker Cornhead grease. Also to mix a little STP in with the Cotton Picker.

In all of the forums I have been reading, there is no mention of the Cotton Picker brand of lubricant. So I asked on this site, since you guys have figgured out which is the better/best steering box lube.

Thanks

[California Travieso]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JKY View Post
We don't use grease. Opened a couple that had been greased and it was all caked around the casing and nothing was on the actual gears. Cornhead may be different. Don't use it. We use 600W which we make with about 50/50 145W gear oil and STP blue.

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

Why would you tell someone not to use something that it would seem you know nothing about?

Randy,

Sound to me like a regional dialect. I think what he meant was: “(we) don't use it.” He did go on to say “We use 600W . . .”

David Serrano

[fried okra]

Any lubricant recommendation for those using the early 1950's Ford F100 steering gear?

[rfequity]

What is STP Blue?

[1931 flamingo]

Penn Rite steering box lube...................NO leaks. FWIW
Paul in CT

[WHN]

Originally Posted by rfequity

What is STP Blue?

Engine oil additive. Protects against engine wear. Increases viscosity of oil.

Could help a high mileage engine.

Enjoy.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Randy in ca

Why would you tell someone not to use something that it would seem you know nothing about?

Randy, if you think this sort of thing can be bad here, ...you should read some of the inaccurate advice coming off of the social media Model-A pages. It has been said that about 80% of the information you read on those social media sites is incorrect, ...and I have found that to be very true. People will make-up whatever seems believable just to get to post something.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by rfequity

What is STP Blue?

Found nearly anywhere engine oil is sold, says STP OilTreatment. Usually about $4 or so. Makes oil extra clingy.

[jayvee34]

Originally Posted by fried okra

Any lubricant recommendation for those using the early 1950's Ford F100 steering gear?

I have one in my "A", Randy Gross, the builder of my F100 box said 600W or
the 85W/140 was ok. (used 600W that I had on hand, no leaks).

[oldredford]

I use 600 weight. Or 80-140 lube.