VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1939 Master Deluxe Steering Gear Lubrication

I looked in the service manual and did a search on this subject on our SEARCH option but can not find any information on the subject. Does anyone know how much lubricant and what kind or weight goes in the steering gear housing? I am referring to where the steering column goes into a housing in the front lower engine compartment.

There are several here who mix their own. Any self leveling grease will do the job well. Don't use straight chassis or bearing grease because they're not self leveling. I use John Deere corn head grease.

The 1939 manual recommends "All season gear lubricant" . It is at the front of the 1939 shop manual, Page 9. and not in the steering gear repair section.

i mixed 80/90 gear grease ( oil ) with wheel bearing grease to get a soft consistency . works well & does not drip out . frank

jack39rdstr, Sure enough there it is, on page nine. I missed it. The info you guys gave me is more of what I needed to know though. Frank, I have some Hypoy C 80/90 gear oil. I think I'll go that way because all I need to buy is some wheel bearing grease to mix into it. Should I make the consistency so that I can pour it in the pipe plug opening?

You'll find out if it's too thin, it'll run out. Unfortunately the way you find out if it's too thick is when you need to rebuild the steering box because the grease cavitied and didn't lube the gears.

John Deere "corn head" steering gear lube or Shell Oil Company "Alvania EP 1 Grease" specification MC 2041SIPA are products specifically for your intended use.

I love reading how home cooked concoctions are as good as or better than "the real thing".

Should I make the consistency so that I can pour it in the pipe plug opening?
that's what i did .
a judgement call on how thin to go . i have no leaks , but it is thin enough to do the job ( no winter driving for me tho ) frank

if it leaks or not depends on the condition of the seal. It my estimation its better to start thin so it flows into the bearings and get into the bushing. If it leaks you can always pump some chassis grease into the gear and let it mix together.
I would bet it was dry and what was in the housing is as hard as a rock.

Now I'm getting nervous. Maybe I should get some john Deere corn head grease instead of mixing my own. It sounds like a product for farmers. There is a Tractor Supply Co. store near me. I guess I'll go there tomorrow and see what they have. The only thing I do not know is; if it is grease how do I get it into the box, pack it into the 1/2 inch hole on top where the pipe plug is? Would it tend to go up the steering column if I put it in that way?

Should be able to pump it in using a grease gun. Go here and find a JD dealer close by. Give them a call. The tube I bought was less than $3.

Thanks Tiny, I found a dealer using your link. Bob

I put it in a sandwich bag, and then cut the corner off. Then put the cut off corner in the hole and gently squeeze the grease in. It take some time, and you may want to turn the wheels back and forth to make sure that your getting the box filled.

The consistency of the blend should be "slowly flow" more like molasses. If it does not flow then it will not properly lubricate the outside bushing.

Thanks donsbigtrucks and Chipper. I will use both suggestions when I put the lube in the box. Bob