The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Steering Box

My steering box is leaking right behind the big nut that holds the pitman arm on. Is it worth replacing the pitman shaft seal, or is it still gonna leak anyway?

Also, the pitman arm has about 1/16 or 1/8" play at the bottom end. The arm is nice and tight to the steering box. The play is in the shaft in the steering box. Can that be adjusted out?

There is an adjustment on the engine side of the box. It is very similar to the adjuster for the valves, a slotted screw with lock nut. You may be able to adjust it some, but it sounds more like the bushing is worn. I'd replace the bushing and seal at the same time. Play at the bottom of the pitman arm is more likely a drag link problem. There rebuild kits available for the original style link, or you can replace the entire part.

The orininal seal is cork. They sell a inproved lip seal that should stop the leak. You can remove the old seal by drilling a small hole in the side of it, then screw a small sheet metal screw about 3/4" long in all the way and it will force the seal out. Be carefull not to nick the shaft.

Today I had a chance to remove the seal. The sheet metal screw forced the seal out in seconds. Thanks for the tip, it was a life saver.

The new seal was a CR #11055.

Removing the pitman arm was the hardest part. The 1 1/4" nut and lock washer came off easy, but the arm at first didn't want to come off. The puller was tighten up pretty good and no movement. So I gave the puller nut a tap or two then the arm came flying off, and I mean flying. Next time I pull a pitman arm I'll put the pitman nut back on loose so it catches the arm.

It all worked out and everything is back together.

What oil is used for the steering gear fluid and how much do I put in?

Thanks again for your help.

The manual calls for steering box lube. I have seen posted here that GM stopped making the lube a few years back. If I remember correctly, the manual mentions a "1200" weight oil. I have heard it referred to as almost grease, but not quite. The manual does say do not use grease as it will not flow into the ball assembly. I know that 90 weight just drips out. I have heard of people mixing grease and gear lube. I just rebuilt my box and I am planning on hitting up a tractor supply or heavy equipment shop that supposedly still use manual steering lube. I have been told that John Deere makes the stuff, but the local garden tractor store, didn't know what I was talking about. I would be curious to know what you find out about this.
Steve O

John Deere Corn Head Grease. Go to a real farm tractor type John Deere place. They have a lot of it. I have no idea what a corn head is.

Search this site for this topic there are a lot of options and suggestions

I tried a "real John Deere place" or as close to one as i could find in California, and they had never heard of Cornhead grease either. This was a place that sold full size tractors and such for the hay and alfalfa fields, rice fields, etc. in the ag areas that still exist in some parts of northern California. I get the feeling from what I've read and experienced that this may be something particular to the combines and reapers sold in the midwest for harvesting grains like wheat and corn. I ended up mixing lube in to thicken up some 90W oil for my steering box a couple of weeks ago. I figured it was better than using straight lube or gear oil (the other options that I was left with here). So far so good. I may bite the bullet and fork over some serious bucks for the PenRite (sp?) stuff at some point.

I used Alemite Hi-Temp #2 lubricant part # 9025-01. It's bacicly a 140 wt. gear oil. It's very close to what thw factory used.It comes in a 14 oz. tube like chassis lube.

I use 90W in all the boxes I rebuild. Once in a while you get one that will leak past the bolt threads. If that happens I replace the lock washers with copper washers.

I have had success with Penrite Steering gear Lube.

The Corn Head Grease is number AN102562. One of the recommended uses is for irrigation systems.

Where do you get Penrite lube? I looked on the web and found only one company that sells the stuff. And how many "500 ml" tubes would you need to fill a AD steering box?
Steve O

I bought my Penrite from a swap meet vendor.

I don't have my book with me but I would estimate the steering box capacity is about 1 quart.

500 ml is slightly less than 1/2 quart so 2 tubes should do the trick.

Please provide a link to the vendor website.

Never dealt with these folks but found them on the web. Lubricants are on p 9 of their pdf catalog.

http://www.restorationstuff.com/Catalog/catalog.html

Steve O