steering box oil

MrTube

MrTube

Well-known member
Is there a drain plug, or a bolt I could remove to drain the oil out of a 2 tooth box?

Ours has somewhat thin oil in it and its leaking into the headlight switch. I'm hoping theres some easy way to drain it :(
 
no drain.. the leak into the headlight switch is remedied with a better design seal, available at most A vendors. When you replace this part, most of the oil will drain out through the front. Refill with 600 w.

05280.jpg
 
You might consider refilling the box with Penrite Steering Box Lube; its 1200w,EP, non leaking for manual boxes. It is actually designed for for early boxes that have no gaskets. Its available from: Restoration Supply Company, 15182B Highland Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92025 , (800) 306-7008 , www.restorationstuff.com. It really works!!!!!

Ron Rude
 
I wonder whether you could adapt one of those suction devices to work in the steering box?
I know I use one with a 1/4 inch outside diameter tube to change oil in boat engines utilizing the dip stick hole.
I never tried looking into the filler on the steering box. Could a neoprene straw fit to the bottom?
If so, consider modifying a suction device with adapters to bring the suction tube to that diameter.
 
I'll have a look see. I was kind of hoping there might be a bolt in the housing that would let it leak\drain out faster.

Pat, what exactly is that i'm looking at? A tube that goes up through the housing? Can I pull those 2 bolts out and pull that out? I have the headlight switch off right now.
 








This is a repacement for the original steering gear end plate. The idea is that the tube goes up high enough in the steering box that it is above the oil level which will prevent an oil leak from the bottom of the box.

If you remove the two bolts on this (or the original end plate) and remove the packing and washer beneath it where the light switch tube passes through you can let the oil drain out of your steering box.

When you reassemble you'll need a new gasket for the end plate.
http://www.brattons.com/uploads/images_products_large/05280.jpg
 
MrTube - Here is a picture from an old Bratton's catalogue. The plate goes on the end of the steering housing, and the tube goes up around the light switch rod. The top is open, but your oil level is below the open top of the tube. Does this picture make more sense?

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And yes, you can pull the snap ring off the end of the light switch, pull the two bolts, and replace with this. Then put the snap ring back on the end of the light switch rod.
 
Ford, in the service bulletins, page 377, was very specific not to use grease. It squeezes out of the worm gear, leaving no lubrication on the sector teeth and actually creates harder steering. That's why they replaced the grease fitting with a plug.
 
Elrod said:
And yes, you can pull the snap ring off the end of the light switch, pull the two bolts, and replace with this. Then put the snap ring back on the end of the light switch rod.
Click to expand...

Everything is done. I think.

I had to order a new retainer / snap ring as someone had a ziptie jammed in there.

The only thing I don't feel comfortable with is the c-clip retainer does not go into the recess on the spider. If I try to bend\close it, it doesn't fit on the light switch rod.

Is it supposed to fit into the spider recess or just under it? Its all together and doesn't seem like its going to come apart, I just want to be sure its right.
 
Tom from Drippin' said:
Push the spider up, place the clip in the groove, release the spider over the clip.
No "snapping"...sorry.
Click to expand...

I swore a lot during the process from the spider digging into my fingers. I assume this is ok? :D


Thanks for the help Tom. I appreciate it. The box doesn't leak, and the light switch works great now.
 
Ice man said:
If you lube it with grease it won't leak, and you can almost forget even checking it. Iceman
Click to expand...

Iceman,
I did the same thing to my 31 about a year and a half ago. not a drop sense and it steers great, also put grease in my old military jeep steering gear box when it started leaking 12 years ago, not a drop and steers like new... just to simple for some.....work's for me;).
 
Louis and Iceman, Wrong thinking! you may have stopped one problem with a quick fix bandaid but the steering box will pay for it eventually. Don't steer others to a bad fix please.
 
J Franklin said:
Louis and Iceman, Wrong thinking! you may have stopped one problem with a quick fix bandaid but the steering box will pay for it eventually. Don't steer others to a bad fix please.
Click to expand...

I agree with J Franklin.

Also installing the modified plate in the steering box was quite easy. Probably far easier then getting that grease back out.
 
J Franklin said:
Louis and Iceman, Wrong thinking! you may have stopped one problem with a quick fix bandaid but the steering box will pay for it eventually. Don't steer others to a bad fix please.
Click to expand...

Not trying to steer anyone:rolleyes:, ...I said "it work,s for me," that's my opin.
If you don't like my opin. please feel free to skip over it and go to the next post.
Thank's for your opin.;).
 
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