The Ford Barn

1962300 · 08-22-2021, 07:02 PM

Have a stock '32 box....was rebuilt many moons ago.
It leaks off the very front end (open) cap area.
I would like to remove it, clean it, reseal it up.
Looks like the rebuilder used some orange RTV years ago and it failed.

Any helpful hints on steps to take on doing this would be welcomed.
I assume I remove the 2 attaching bolts, clean it up, put on a new gasket & sealer?
Are there gaskets available and from who?
What flavor steering box lube is preferred for the box?

Thanks!

DavidG · 08-22-2021, 07:19 PM

Unless you substitute the original plate with the ears for the bail for retaining the cover of the light switch with the '33 and up version with a tube attached that extends upward inside the steering shaft to beyond the level of lubricant in the box, a leak is inevitable. If it is already equipped with the '33 plus type plate and tube, then the problem likely is as you indicate, namely a leak between the top side of the plate and the bottom of the steering box casting.

Lots of different views on the best lubricant to use, but a slim majority herein seem to favor using John Deere Corn Head grease.

1962300 · 08-22-2021, 09:00 PM

I do not have the later plate.
Nor do I have the headlight switch parts on the end of mine.

So the fix is to obtain a 1933 & up plate? It bolts on the same?
It has a tube on its inside portion of the plate?
And is there supposed to be a gasket, I assume?
Someone sell those?

Thanks!

HIGHTOWER611 · 08-22-2021, 09:14 PM

This is a photo I saved of what they look like.
Check with Michael at Third Gen for the part or Fred at Barnfind.
Both have helped me greatly in the past.

David is right as many people here like the corn head grease. I just bought some Penrite Steering Box Lube to give a try on the rebuilt box I just finished. It is more expensive than corn head grease but I like trying new things.
The gasket is the same.

DavidG · 08-22-2021, 09:45 PM

As you will note from HIGHTOWER611's helpful photo, the plate and tube attach the same way that your existing plate does and yes, it should be used with a gasket.

1962300 · 08-22-2021, 09:46 PM

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Oh, now that I see the picture, it makes sense. Is it a simple removal of the 2 bolts and then you wiggle out the plate with tube? Will anything else come falling out; ha!???

deuce lover · 08-23-2021, 12:02 AM

The bearing at the end of the worm gear.There might be thin gasket shims also.

cas3 · 08-23-2021, 01:29 AM

some folks silver solder where the tube is crimped into the end plate for a positive no leaky

David J · 08-23-2021, 05:58 AM

FWIW that pic is some of my stash of those pipes .
Still have those and more .

DavidG · 08-23-2021, 07:45 AM

With respect, the lower worm gear bearing cup and cone both insert into the steering box from above, not from below. Removal of the subject plate will not affect the lower worm gear bearing.

1931 flamingo · 08-23-2021, 08:58 AM

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

deuce lover · 08-23-2021, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

With respect, the lower worm gear bearing cup and cone both insert into the steering box from above, not from below. Removal of the subject plate will not affect the lower worm gear bearing.

Oops sorry

Tim Ayers · 08-24-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidG

With respect, the lower worm gear bearing cup and cone both insert into the steering box from above, not from below. Removal of the subject plate will not affect the lower worm gear bearing.

I'm assuming you remove the circular cork disc/plug that "fills" the hole at the bottom of the box when using the later tube?

DavidG · 08-24-2021, 09:29 PM

Yes, leave it out as it no longer serves a purpose.

1962300 · 08-25-2021, 09:17 PM

When using the John Deer Corn Head Grease....Do I use 100% of that in the steering box OR a percentage of that AND a percentage of some other grease?
Thanks

VeryTangled · 08-25-2021, 09:23 PM

Matt, I use it 100% strength in steering boxes.

1962300 · 08-26-2021, 09:01 PM

I hath remove the end cap & tube.
Is the tube supposed to appear like the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
Could this be contributing to my leak?
It slid out of the steering box smoothly.
It had a gasket and that ugly orange RTV sealer on it.
Thanks!

DavidG · 08-26-2021, 09:48 PM

The tube should be perfectly perpendicular to the bottom plate, but since on an original a small amount of the tubing protrudes from the bottom, setting it on a flat surface, as in your photo, it would lean to one side.

It appears in your photo to be soldered where the tube joins the bottom plate. If that joint is secure, the plate is flat, the tube perpendicular to the bottom plate, and a gasket was installed, your leak may be elsewhere.

08-22-2021, 07:19 PM	#2
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box Unless you substitute the original plate with the ears for the bail for retaining the cover of the light switch with the '33 and up version with a tube attached that extends upward inside the steering shaft to beyond the level of lubricant in the box, a leak is inevitable. If it is already equipped with the '33 plus type plate and tube, then the problem likely is as you indicate, namely a leak between the top side of the plate and the bottom of the steering box casting. Lots of different views on the best lubricant to use, but a slim majority herein seem to favor using John Deere Corn Head grease.

08-22-2021, 09:00 PM	#3
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box I do not have the later plate. Nor do I have the headlight switch parts on the end of mine. So the fix is to obtain a 1933 & up plate? It bolts on the same? It has a tube on its inside portion of the plate? And is there supposed to be a gasket, I assume? Someone sell those? Thanks! __________________ Matt Allyn 1932 Ford Roadster / 1949 Mercury Coupe / 1949 Harley Davidson "45" / 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible / 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible / 1959 Lambretta TV175 / 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Convertible / 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon / 1962 Chrysler 300H / 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport / 1964 International Travelall / 2015 Tesla Model S

08-22-2021, 09:45 PM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box As you will note from HIGHTOWER611's helpful photo, the plate and tube attach the same way that your existing plate does and yes, it should be used with a gasket.

08-22-2021, 09:46 PM	#6
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Oh, now that I see the picture, it makes sense. Is it a simple removal of the 2 bolts and then you wiggle out the plate with tube? Will anything else come falling out; ha!??? __________________ Matt Allyn 1932 Ford Roadster / 1949 Mercury Coupe / 1949 Harley Davidson "45" / 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible / 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible / 1959 Lambretta TV175 / 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Convertible / 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon / 1962 Chrysler 300H / 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport / 1964 International Travelall / 2015 Tesla Model S

08-23-2021, 12:02 AM	#7
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,306	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box The bearing at the end of the worm gear.There might be thin gasket shims also.

08-23-2021, 01:29 AM	#8
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,573	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box some folks silver solder where the tube is crimped into the end plate for a positive no leaky

08-23-2021, 05:58 AM	#9
David J Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: St Croix Falls WI Posts: 2,080	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box FWIW that pic is some of my stash of those pipes . Still have those and more .

08-23-2021, 07:45 AM	#10
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box With respect, the lower worm gear bearing cup and cone both insert into the steering box from above, not from below. Removal of the subject plate will not affect the lower worm gear bearing.

08-23-2021, 08:58 AM	#11
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box Penn Rite steering box lube.........................NO leaks. Paul in CT

08-24-2021, 09:29 PM	#14
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box Yes, leave it out as it no longer serves a purpose.

08-25-2021, 09:17 PM	#15
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box When using the John Deer Corn Head Grease....Do I use 100% of that in the steering box OR a percentage of that AND a percentage of some other grease? Thanks __________________ Matt Allyn 1932 Ford Roadster / 1949 Mercury Coupe / 1949 Harley Davidson "45" / 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible / 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible / 1959 Lambretta TV175 / 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Convertible / 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon / 1962 Chrysler 300H / 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport / 1964 International Travelall / 2015 Tesla Model S

08-25-2021, 09:23 PM	#16
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box Matt, I use it 100% strength in steering boxes. __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

08-26-2021, 09:48 PM	#18
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Leaking 1932 Steering Box The tube should be perfectly perpendicular to the bottom plate, but since on an original a small amount of the tubing protrudes from the bottom, setting it on a flat surface, as in your photo, it would lean to one side. It appears in your photo to be soldered where the tube joins the bottom plate. If that joint is secure, the plate is flat, the tube perpendicular to the bottom plate, and a gasket was installed, your leak may be elsewhere.