grease in steering control

GPJA · Oct 19, 2013

Anyone ever replaced the oil inside the steering control with grease from a grease gun? I heard of an acquaintance doing this on his super a, to prevent the seals from leaking. My 54 super a-1 has a grease fitting on top of the steering box already. I believe the manual suggests 10 weight oil. Im currently having a slight problem with the steering control leaking oil.

Wayne in MN · Oct 19, 2013

Use Corn Head Grease; available at your IH dealer or fleet supply.

AG in IN · Oct 19, 2013

It calls for SAE 10? I've always used gear lube in mine, SAE 90 or 85W-140 and had no problems. If everything's original, old leather seals, 10 wt. oil and any wear in the bushings at all would guarantee a leak.

On the A series tractors the grease fitting on top of the steering gearbox is for the bearing at the top of the vertical steering shaft. When filled to the proper level, the oil will never reach it during normal operation.

Look at NLGI grade 00 or 000 fluid greases instead of a grade 1 or 2 which are common grades of gun grease if you are looking for something thicker for the steering gearbox. Keep greasing the top fitting with gun grease no matter what you choose to do.

AG

gene bender · Oct 20, 2013

Manual will call for 90wt but maybe your seals are bad after all its only 60 or so yrs old like other post said grease fitting is for top bearing. The worm and gear need to run in 90wt

FBH44 · Oct 20, 2013

I replaced the seals on my "H", but to make it hold grease even better, I whipped up a 50/50 blend of 90 wt. and red [must be red] wheel bearing grease in a cofee can with a coat hanger in my drill, and poured it in. Did that a few years ago, and last week I checked it; still in there, still working. You can make as thick or as thin as you like.

IHRedRules · Oct 20, 2013

I agree with Wayne, use corn head grease and you'll be much better off. I just went through my h front end and used the corn head grease when I put it back together.

John G. Hasler · Oct 20, 2013

> If everything"s original, old leather seals...

Leather seals in a machine built in 1954?

GPJA · Oct 20, 2013

Thanks everyone for the replies, I think ill go with the corn head grease. That might have in fact been the grease used in the guy I know. Where do I put it in?

AG in IN · Oct 20, 2013

(quoted from post at 14:03:30 10/20/13) > If everything"s original, old leather seals...

Leather seals in a machine built in 1954?

I'm pretty sure the old seals I pulled from the steering gear in my '45 A were leather when I rebuilt it. One or both may have had a felt wiper as part of the seal as well. I don't think the OD/ID of the seals changed from the earliest 1939 A until the last 140 rolled off the line 40+years later. I don't know exactly when IH decided to switch to seals with more modern materials for this application.

I have many NOS IH oil seals in 60's, 70's, and 80's era packaging that are still rawhide. I think I even have a few in CIH packaging as well.

National still makes leather oil seals. CR probably does as well.

AG

HydroTek · Oct 20, 2013

Corn head grease is an EP "0" grade and will work well in all those steering boxes

grease in steering control

GPJA

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Wayne in MN

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gene bender

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FBH44

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John G. Hasler

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GPJA

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