Grease in steering box

nkcarizona

nkcarizona

Member
The previous owner of my '29 Fordor apparently put regular grease in the steering box. As a result, the steering is very stiff even with the wheels off the ground.

My question concerns the easiest way to get the old grease out. Has anyone tried introducing a solvent to dissolve the grease and then suck the mess out, or do I have to take the box apart or partially apart? I plan to put Penrite steering box oil back in.
 
I would take it apart because it sounds like the parts are binding causing rappid wear. Your best bet would be to take it apart and inspect it good. once you clean all the grease and inspect each piece, and it looks good & clean, then put it back together and fill it with the correct oil. I use 600W oil.
 
I agree with above. By the way, the "W" in 600W does NOT stand for
weight, it is just a type and has a consistency somewhat like honey---maybe
thinner.

Jack
 
Leave the grease in, just fill it with oil and see if it improves --yes, it is best to use the proper oil ,but even 90 wt that is easy to get will tell you if you need to take it apart
 
New guy on the block just went through sorting out very stiff steering on my 29 tudor. You may have already done this but, before disassembling the box, disconnet the draglink from the pitman arm & cycle the box if smooth put jackstands under the axle and take a look at kingpin thrust bearings (did they forget to shim them), steering arm balls (are there any balls left), tierods & draglink (remove the washers & innertube pieces and put in springs & caps) you will be amazed at what previous owners have or haven't done to keep their cars on the road . Just a suggestion.
 
I'm not sure that grease would stiffen the steering to the point that you seem to be experiencing. It may be the eccentric adjustment. If you haven't done this yet, I'd suggest following the adjustment procedure outlined in either Les Andrews book or the SB's before you take it apart.
 
I would just poke around and remove as much of the grease as you can and fill it with oil.. It'll mix together after a while and leak out, just keep re-filling it..
But, as said, there may be other reasons for the stiffness..
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I previously checked the king pin bearings, properly shimmed, and disconnected the drag link and found the steering still stiff. I will try adding oil now to see if it loosens up. If it doesn't, I guess I'll take her apart. Does anyone know if I can get it apart enough to clean up without pulling the column out of the car?
 
If you have to remove the steering column to get the steering box cleaned out would suggest replacing the steering shaft retainer nut with the one that has the tube added item #5030 in Bratton's Catalogue. Clean out the end of the steering column so there is no binding of the shaft and this tube. A .38 caliber gun cleaning brush works great dipped in solvent. Also adding the steering sector to frame seal O ring helps to reduce the oil leakage. MHO I do not like oil leaks.
 
back off the adjuster nut on the top of the box. Iv always filled every old car iv hads box with grease. I usually drill the fill plug and put a zerk in it. Same with my A.
 
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