‘40 steering box leak

[mike42]

I bought the gasket kit to resolve a steering box leak. When unbolting the bottom plate with 4 bolts……is something going to fall out that I won’t be able to get back in ? Just askin’ before I make a fatal error !

Thx…….Mike

[pistonbroke]

Hi Mike, I don't have the answer to you question but I know my 41 pickup box leaks from the horn wire tube. I originally thought the lower plate gasket was leaking also. Not sure how to fix it yet but all ears. Tim

[deuce lover]

Pull that bottom plate off ,clean it good and solder the tube to the plate. Another option is find a NOS and replace it.Barnfind 08(Southside Obsolete in MN) ,a member here might have some.

[1931 flamingo]

After you get it back together use PennRite steering box lube, NO leakee.
Paul in CT

[alchemy]

Be aware those aren't just gaskets on that bottom plate, they are also shims that adjust the load on the worm's bearings. You will need to find the proper thickness and/or amount of those gaskets to have proper operation. I don't know of a way to do it with the sector still in the box, other than just replacing the existing with the same size. But if there is wear in the bearings, you might actually need a thinner gasket. Can only accurately feel the load when the sector is not also pushing on the worm.

[mike42]

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Piston …..I’m all ears too !

Deuce ……I’ll check into it for sure

Flamingo……you recommend Penrith a few years ago and I bought some from England. Still leaks though.

Alchemy…….this is why I asked for recommendations. I don’t want to take something apart and cause more problems ! Steering is solid now, but it just leaks in one area underneath. I’m trying to get to the bolts so to try and tighten !

Car has original miles on it at 86,000

Thx guys……

Mike

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by mike42

I bought the gasket kit to resolve a steering box leak. When unbolting the bottom plate with 4 bolts……is something going to fall out that I won’t be able to get back in ? Just askin’ before I make a fatal error !

Thx…….Mike

Check-out the thread in the link BELOW!

Coop


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...lder+horn+tube

[Kube]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Check-out the thread in the link BELOW!

Coop


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...lder+horn+tube

This is almost always the reason this box leaks. I solder every one before rebuilding the box during a restoration.
Also, I use John Deere cornhead grease in the box. I'd installed a grease fitting to an 'extra" steering box fill plug. By using that I know for certain the box is getting filled properly with the grease.

[cas3]

Nice lookin solder job there whoever did it. I have a hard time getting silver solder to flow out that nice !

[mike42]

Oh ….now the bell rings…..I forgot the horn wire runs down the center. I forgot all about that ! Thx …..as of now I know what was meant by welding the tube. I didn’t realize what that meant. Will anything fall out if I pull out that tube ?

Kube …..you recommended a zerk fitting a few years ago and I made one up !

Thx !

[Seth Swoboda]

Nothing will fall out. The tube runs up through the top of the steering box.

[alchemy]

The lower bearing and race might fall out if they are slightly loose. More than likely they are gummed up and will stick up in there. I also use JD Cornhead Grease.

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by alchemy

The lower bearing and race might fall out if they are slightly loose. More than likely they are gummed up and will stick up in there. I also use JD Cornhead Grease.

That's true, it might be an opportunity clean and inspect the lower bearing and race? I usually have my steering box out for a rebuild at this point. Although, that's on a full blown restoration project. Removing the entire steering column
and box while the car is still assembled is more of a job.

[mike42]

Seth and Alchemy …… that’s what I’m afraid of ! Something falling out and not being able to reassemble ! I have to think about this. Thx for the info.

Mike

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by mike42

Seth and Alchemy …… that’s what I’m afraid of ! Something falling out and not being able to reassemble ! I have to think about this. Thx for the info.

Mike

About the only thing that could possibly fall out would be the lower ball bearing cage thingy.

Coop

[glennpm]

Good Coop, I was just going to post the figure from the manual and you beat me to it!

Mike the only thing that could fall out is the bottom bearing and race like Alchemy said above and those would be captured by the brass tube. So no frets about loose ball bearings and such to worry about.

Glenn

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by mike42

Seth and Alchemy …… that’s what I’m afraid of ! Something falling out and not being able to reassemble ! I have to think about this. Thx for the info.

Mike

These steering boxes are remarkably simple. Nothing to be afraid of. They are so simple, even I can work on them.

[mike42]

Guys this is great thx much ! Appreciate the info and I now understand the tube for horn wire !

Thx again.

Mike

[mike42]

Coop…..I’ll for sure watch out for that bearing cage “thingy” ! ��

[pistonbroke]

OK, Here we go. I have my next project. Mike I will be doing mine next week . I will let you know how mine turns out. I know for sure mine is leaking at the tube so that's mine objective. Thanks everyone for the knowledge. Tim