8N steering box fill plug

[JerryLook]

Im trying to check the level and add oil to my fathers 8N. I found the fill plug with the help of some pics online, but how do you access it? Or is there another way?

The pipe plug is behind the bracket where the positive battery terminal connects (ground). Do you have to take that apart and then the plug comes out that same hole?

This post was edited by JerryLook on 06/03/2022 at 06:24 am.

 

[deanostoybox]

The aftermarket (Sparex) steering gearbox has a fill plug in that location. Mine has a 3/4 inch hole drilled in the dash support for access to the fill plug. Otherwise removal of the dash is necessary.

 

[JerryLook]

Im not sure what gearbox this tractor has, but I can see the fill plug behind that bracket. Looks to me like there is no access without taking the whole bracket off. Which I dont think is possible.
Where at on you dash is the access hole? Maybe I should make one as well.

 

[deanostoybox]

2 inches on centers above the bolt you have circled in your picture.

 

[JerryLook]

(quoted from post at 14:17:36 06/03/22) 2 inches on centers above the bolt you have circled in your picture.

Oh ok. I misread what you wrote before. I was thinking dash and not dash support. Thanks

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

The battery ground strap is not the steering box lube port. It is the 7/16 Hex Bolt east of that as shown on your late steering box. Early 8N steering boxes used a
1/8 NPT Plug. I modified some plugs and bolts by drilling them thru and tapping for a Zerk fitting. Thus maes lubing the box a lot easier, faster, and without all the
mess. OEM Manual shows removing the steering wheel acorn nut and to pour oil down teh shaft teher. DONT! You will have a huge mess later on when all the oil drips
down onto the shifter cover. The steering boxes on these N's were/are one of the most neglected systems. Once the seals, bearings, and bushings wear out, poor steering
and lack of lube is inevitable. Rebuilding is the true fix but it is a big, time consuming job as much has to be removed first, the hood for starters, before you even
get to the steering box. John Smith said on his early 8N restoration project he rebuilt the steering box but he'd never do another. Alternative solution is to find a
late box and swap it out.

TIM DALEYS MODIFIED 8N STEERING BOX LUBE FITTINGS:

LATE 8N STEERING BOX w/MODIFIED LUBE PLUG:

EARLY 8N STEERING BOX w/MODIFIED LUBE PLUG:

Tim Daley(MI)

 

[JerryLook]

(quoted from post at 09:13:36 06/04/22) The battery ground strap is not the steering box lube port. It is the 7/16 Hex Bolt east of that as shown on your late steering box. Early 8N steering boxes used a
1/8 NPT Plug. I modified some plugs and bolts by drilling them thru and tapping for a Zerk fitting. Thus maes lubing the box a lot easier, faster, and without all the
mess. OEM Manual shows removing the steering wheel acorn nut and to pour oil down teh shaft teher. DONT! You will have a huge mess later on when all the oil drips
down onto the shifter cover. The steering boxes on these N's were/are one of the most neglected systems. Once the seals, bearings, and bushings wear out, poor steering
and lack of lube is inevitable. Rebuilding is the true fix but it is a big, time consuming job as much has to be removed first, the hood for starters, before you even
get to the steering box. John Smith said on his early 8N restoration project he rebuilt the steering box but he'd never do another. Alternative solution is to find a
late box and swap it out.

TIM DALEYS MODIFIED 8N STEERING BOX LUBE FITTINGS:
<center><img src=https://i.imgur.com/a5oDoZrh.jpg></center>

LATE 8N STEERING BOX w/MODIFIED LUBE PLUG:
<center><img src=https://i.imgur.com/fHTFfTsh.jpg></center>

EARLY 8N STEERING BOX w/MODIFIED LUBE PLUG:
<center><img src=https://i.imgur.com/enysCFLl.jpg></center>

Tim Daley(MI)

Thats a good idea adding the zerk fitting.

I was thinking about drilling the hole in the dash support to access the plug. The plug is so close behind the support that its touching it. Im trying to figure out what kind of drill bit I could use to drill through the support and not hit the plug. Haha.

My dad has had this tractor for about 10 years, and has never checked the steering box oil level. Hes been complaining about it steering hard, and I asked him about it. Ive read on here so many times where people have issues with the seals and use corn head grease in the box. So I want to see if his steering box even has any oil left. Haha.

When you pump it up with grease via the zerk fitting, where do you look to see grease coming out to know its full?

 

[deanostoybox]

[Thats a good idea adding the zerk fitting.
I was thinking about drilling the hole in the dash support to access the plug. The plug is so close behind the support that its touching it. Im trying to figure out what kind of drill bit I could use to drill through the support and not hit the plug. Haha.]

The previous owner had tried to do that with a smaller drill bit and several holes. Still could not get to the plug. When I replaced the seals and bushings in my steering gearbox, I cleaned up the hole with a unibit while the dash was off. Hole is still not round, but big enough to get to the plug. Of course I also replaced the 1/4 NPT plug with a 1/4 x 1/8 NPT reducer bushing and a 1/8 NPT zerk fitting. Filled with corn head grease. Read somewhere to fill until it comes out around the bottom of the steering wheel. That makes a mess too.

You might be able to use a hole saw with a very short pilot bit. MIGHT being the keyword. Probably easier to just pull the dash. That means removing the air cleaner, hood, steering wheel, wiring from the dash, throttle and choke linkages. If you go that far you may as well replace the bushings and seals in the steering gearbox. The Sparex box uses the same bushings and seals as the late OEM 8N gearbox though some of the other parts are different. You need Two of the long bushings sold for the early style 8N gearbox Part Number 8N3576A and two of the short bushings sold for the late style 8N steering gearbox Part number 8N3576B. Also four of the <a href=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Sector-Shaft-Seal_C5NN3C615A.html>sector shaft seals</a> two per side.

 

[JerryLook]

(quoted from post at 10:33:20 06/04/22) [Thats a good idea adding the zerk fitting.
I was thinking about drilling the hole in the dash support to access the plug. The plug is so close behind the support that its touching it. Im trying to figure out what kind of drill bit I could use to drill through the support and not hit the plug. Haha.]

The previous owner had tried to do that with a smaller drill bit and several holes. Still could not get to the plug. When I replaced the seals and bushings in my steering gearbox, I cleaned up the hole with a unibit while the dash was off. Hole is still not round, but big enough to get to the plug. Of course I also replaced the 1/4 NPT plug with a 1/4 x 1/8 NPT reducer bushing and a 1/8 NPT zerk fitting. Filled with corn head grease. Read somewhere to fill until it comes out around the bottom of the steering wheel. That makes a mess too.

You might be able to use a hole saw with a very short pilot bit. MIGHT being the keyword. Probably easier to just pull the dash. That means removing the air cleaner, hood, steering wheel, wiring from the dash, throttle and choke linkages. If you go that far you may as well replace the bushings and seals in the steering gearbox. The Sparex box uses the same bushings and seals as the late OEM 8N gearbox though some of the other parts are different. You need Two of the long bushings sold for the early style 8N gearbox Part Number 8N3576A and two of the short bushings sold for the late style 8N steering gearbox Part number 8N3576B. Also four of the &lt;a href=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/Ford-8N_Sector-Shaft-Seal_C5NN3C615A.html&gt;sector shaft seals&lt;/a&gt; two per side.

I started to drill it with a hole saw until I hit the head of the plug. Now Im thinking maybe if I get another pilot bit and shorten it to just barely start the outside of the hole saw, and then Ill take it out. It might take a little time to get all the way through, but its gotta be quicker than taking everything apart.

One of these days this tractor is going to get some serious maintenance. Theres a lot that hasnt been done to it in a long time. Id like to remove the jungle gym loader and go through the tractor.
Basically right now my dad uses it to mow a small field twice a year. Then it sits around the rest of the time. Id be surprised if he puts a dozen hours a year on it. At least it gets stored in the barn. I think that really helps keep it in decent shape.

 

[JerryLook]

My hole was almost lined up perfect. Close enough to get the plug out at least

The steering box was empty or almost empty it seems like. It took over a pint of oil before it started coming back out of the hole. Im going to watch it now and see how fast it leaks out again. I used 80/90 gear oil. If shes a heavy leaker Ill switch to corn head grease I guess.