steering oil level?

Barry in St.Paul

Barry in St.Paul

Senior Member
hi,
my '30 coupe has a completely rebuilt steering unit, and I am very pleased with it except that if I fill it to the top of the reservoir (up to the pipe plug) it will slowly ooze and leak, for several months now, through the back at the top, where the slit is for tightening the bearing race.
I use Bratton's 600W oil in it, and there are no other leaks anywhere. It is slow enough that I clean it off, seems it is not leaking anymore, and then several days later I see a small spot under it on the floor, and can trace the sticky trail up to that slit...
Is the housing not necessarily supposed to seal there? If so, then "full" level of oil must be something lower than to the top of the pipe plug hole?
Thanks!
 
Did you put in a sector seal O ring and a steering gear end plate with tube?
 

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I think you may have a little too much oil in it. I fill them to the BOTTOM of the plug hole. This may make just enough differenge in the level to keep it from leaking. If it is not leaking at the bottom where the light switch is or at the Pitman shaft, it sounds like you may have everything sealed up well.

Just my opinion,

Chris
 
thanks guys. Yes, I have the end-plate tube and O-ring w/ needle bearing kit, and they are doing their job well. I think (and hope) Chris is right. The oil level being too high is all I can figure, just wondered if anyone else had the same problem, and what oil -level you all used successfully. I'm not going to refill it, and see if it eventually stops! :-)
 
Barry in St.Paul said:
thanks guys. Yes, I have the end-plate tube and O-ring w/ needle bearing kit, and they are doing their job well. I think (and hope) Chris is right. The oil level being too high is all I can figure, just wondered if anyone else had the same problem, and what oil -level you all used successfully. I'm not going to refill it, and see if it eventually stops! :-)
Click to expand...


Do you have the gease fitting or the plug?
 
Mine leaks if I fill it up but then seems to reach a level it likes and stops leaking. The other fluids in an A seem to do the same thing. Steering turns very slow compaired tomotor and drive line parts so I think a little oil is all you need.
 
Mike, I have the plug. Good to hear others have had the same experience. I'm guessing my level will 'settle' about the top of the worm, just like 30Cabriolet said.
 
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