The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk steering box on 46 pickup

finishing rebuild of 46 1/2 ton, steering box leaks. is there a gasket to replace , if not how do eliminate the leaking?

Geezy,

Welcome to the Stovebolt. To my knowledge, there is no seal where the sector shaft pops out of the steering box. As the bushing wears, the lube leaks, which is pretty common.

A new bushing combined with some very thick lubricant helps get this under control. Some lube products are 'Penrite' or a John Deere item (I think) called 'Corn Head Lube' as well as others.

These items fall into the category of a NGLI grade 000 grease which means it is a grease that 'almost' flows..very thin for a grease but very thick for a gear lubricant.

So if this seems to be your problem, think new bushing and very thick lube. More folks will be along with a welcome and some help.

Stuart

Yup, John Deere Corn head Grease is what I used to fix My Box leak...works well, fill it up, and top it up later....takes time to flow down.....

I just rebuilt the steering box on my 52 last summer. There is a seal where the pitman arm attaches to the steering box. I spoke to the bulk supplier where I used to work, and there are some 3 and 4 000 greases available. He suggested I go to JD. and get a tube of corn head grease for this application. A tube cost 1.87 here and is enough to fill 3 or 4 steering boxes, or in my case the same box a couple of times (don't ask) LOL

If your having leakage from the mast jacket you might try a heavy round felt washer slid down the mast aginst the steering box casting. The one I used was about 1/2 inch thick and fit tightly on the mast as of yet I have no leaks. I used STP for lube.

If you are looking for end plate gaskets, just make them your self. Thin cereal box cardboard or a gasket material from the local parts store works. I am not sure you can 100% seal one up, I have been trying for 5 years now! I use JD grease and it still weeps out around the threads, nothing real bad, but if I wipe it with a cloth I can see some residue. Don't be shy with the grease, pack it in and work it around, also grease the sector shaft before installing. The grease doesn't flow quite like the oil did so getting some into the bushing is a must.

I have mine back out of the truck now replacing the large bushings again. I cut grease slots in the new ones hoping to keep the pitman shaft lubricated. I added a 2" bushing out on the end where the steel spacer was. This helps support the end of the pitman shaft, but grease can't work its way out there and it was getting a little stiff to drive. I might open up the bushing a bit just so its not so tight. Joe

Joe

Thanks for the info. JD 000 looks like the right move, will post results after holiday, thanks agian

Where the sector shaft comes through the gear case (behind the pitman arm) the seal can be replaced with a CR 11055. There are thin gaskets behind both the end and side covers you can easily make these as stated or go to your FLAPS and get gasket paper. There is no seal or gasket where the steering shaft enters. Leaks from here are due to over filling the box with lube. At least that’s the story on my ‘41