The Ford Barn

CatMan1 · 09-07-2021, 04:17 PM

On my '28 Sport Coupe there is a grease Zerk (or fitting) where most would have a plug for filling the steering column with oil. I could always be wrong, but I think the original owner may have filled it full of grease and that's why it steers so hard. (I'm sure I should check other things) Is there a way to clean out the old grease, or what ever is in there? I don't really want to pull the column out for a rebuild.

Eccentric Old Guy · 09-07-2021, 06:14 PM

It's possible the seals are blown in the steering gearbox. Some old timers used grease to take up some play, or because the steering box would leak gear oil. As I understand it, grease is a poor substitute for the original oil, because the grease would be pushed away from the gear teeth, leaving the gears open to further wear.

There is a discussion about this at the following link:

forums.aaca.org/topic/185011-grease-ok-in-steering-box/

flybob08 · 09-07-2021, 08:01 PM

There are two sections in the 7 tooth steering box. The one on the left and lower is for grease and the one on the upper side to the right is for the oil.

bobbader · 09-08-2021, 11:03 AM

The short answer is that you can’t remove the grease inside the box without removing the column and taking the box apart. The longer answer is that your steering box probably needs a total rebuild. AND, the grease inside is probably NOT the reason your steering is hard. It may contribute to the problem, but is not the sole culprit. Aside from that, removing the grease and putting gear lube in will most likely give you problems with that lube leaking out. These steering boxes did not have any real seals from the factory so, no, the seals are not blown out. Most likely you have a “7 tooth” steering box and they were not a good design to begin with and can be tough to rebuild as there are no internal adjustments to take up slack in the system. If you are in a local Model A club, perhaps there’s a knowledgeable person who can help you assess the situation before you get too involved.

Good luck. Bob Bader

J Franklin · 09-08-2021, 11:36 AM

Is your model A harder to steer than other model As?

Patrick L. · 09-08-2021, 05:10 PM

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It was common to install that grease fitting, but, it wasn't suppose to be for grease. Most people didn't know that though.
As a kid we had a grease gun filled with heavy oil [ 600W] that was used to fill the boxes. That was easier and faster.

CatMan1 · 09-09-2021, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Is your model A harder to steer than other model As?

I haven't driven another A since......20 years ago so I don't know. Backing downhill out of my driveway takes both arms and effort to turn the wheel!

J Franklin · 09-09-2021, 11:02 AM

You are 20 years older. It might be helpful to drive another A before tearing things apart.

09-07-2021, 04:17 PM	#1
CatMan1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Pella, IA Posts: 336	Cleaning Steering Gear Box On my '28 Sport Coupe there is a grease Zerk (or fitting) where most would have a plug for filling the steering column with oil. I could always be wrong, but I think the original owner may have filled it full of grease and that's why it steers so hard. (I'm sure I should check other things) Is there a way to clean out the old grease, or what ever is in there? I don't really want to pull the column out for a rebuild.

09-07-2021, 06:14 PM	#2
Eccentric Old Guy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Montana Posts: 186	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box It's possible the seals are blown in the steering gearbox. Some old timers used grease to take up some play, or because the steering box would leak gear oil. As I understand it, grease is a poor substitute for the original oil, because the grease would be pushed away from the gear teeth, leaving the gears open to further wear. There is a discussion about this at the following link: forums.aaca.org/topic/185011-grease-ok-in-steering-box/ Last edited by Eccentric Old Guy; 09-07-2021 at 06:22 PM.

09-07-2021, 08:01 PM	#3
flybob08 Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 76	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box There are two sections in the 7 tooth steering box. The one on the left and lower is for grease and the one on the upper side to the right is for the oil.

09-08-2021, 11:03 AM	#4
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 269	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box The short answer is that you can’t remove the grease inside the box without removing the column and taking the box apart. The longer answer is that your steering box probably needs a total rebuild. AND, the grease inside is probably NOT the reason your steering is hard. It may contribute to the problem, but is not the sole culprit. Aside from that, removing the grease and putting gear lube in will most likely give you problems with that lube leaking out. These steering boxes did not have any real seals from the factory so, no, the seals are not blown out. Most likely you have a “7 tooth” steering box and they were not a good design to begin with and can be tough to rebuild as there are no internal adjustments to take up slack in the system. If you are in a local Model A club, perhaps there’s a knowledgeable person who can help you assess the situation before you get too involved. Good luck. Bob Bader

09-08-2021, 11:36 AM	#5
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box Is your model A harder to steer than other model As?

09-08-2021, 05:10 PM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It was common to install that grease fitting, but, it wasn't suppose to be for grease. Most people didn't know that though. As a kid we had a grease gun filled with heavy oil [ 600W] that was used to fill the boxes. That was easier and faster.

09-09-2021, 11:02 AM	#8
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Cleaning Steering Gear Box You are 20 years older. It might be helpful to drive another A before tearing things apart.