Got a new steering gear and ready to rebuild by 55 Ford steering unit. What kind of grease/oil should I use? and should I consider synthetic?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Tom, thanks - I did find in my shop manual a reference to 90W gear oil, but I don't quite know why the specs would be so much thinner than what you guys used or even putting in grease.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I am assuming you have a rebuilt box to put in.Did you get a 56 box with the 3 tooth sector shaft?

  

Grease not advised. Gears will cut a channel through it, leaving them dry. Synthetic lube reputed to leak from antique casting/gasket systems due to smaller molecules (?), as opposed to modern o-ring/silicone/precision assemblies.

If 90W (or thicker) lube leaks from your rebuilt box, try STP. While not technically a stand-alone lubricant, it hasn't produced any noticeable wear (steering tight/precise after adjustment per shop manual), or leaked out of my original box in 10 years/70K miles. Been waiting for either as an incentive to rebuild (bearing walking slightly in it's race). So far it looks like..., I should live so long!

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

No, I have got an nos 55 2 tooth job ready to go. All other parts are either new or rebuilt. Assembly about to take place. I understand that the 55's had a little bit quicker steering as opposed to the 56's, who had better longevity with 3?

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I put a new lower seal in a the '59 box I use.  I used synthetic gear lube.   It stays thinner when cold and can withstand higher temperature when the headers heat up the box.   The synthetic gear oil will make it steer easier, but unless you replace the seal it may leak.   Mine has a ton of miles on it and has been maintainance free since the synthetic and seal change.

I did try using CV boot type greese in my original '57 box, which still leaked out the worn seal some and eventually wore out about a year later. I just had a '69 Mustang box professionally done and it had a thick greese when it came back from the rebuilders and he said it was ready to use.

Pat Fleischman

Pat:I hope the steering box lube question is satisfactorily answered as I'm cutting in here. On the 59 Steering Box you mention going into your 57. Did you use the entire 59 column & steering wheel assembly? I had a refurbished 58 box fitted to my 57 column & steering wheel, as the 58 column wasn't available. We ran into a couple of problems doing it that way. In the end I could not find anywhere, a 58-59 "horn brush contact & insulator" new or used, to install in my steering wheel, to make the horn contact. So am stuck using a separate temporary horn setup. Any thoughts appreciated.

Paul

Anybody ever use that Lucas stuff? I've used it in power steering units but not a manual box .. Don't know?

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL