ADD A ZERK

[Baretone]

I'm thinking about adding a grease fitting to my steering column it's a '52 8N...probably never, ever been lubed does anyone have a pic that might show where to drill/tap for a zerk? How far below the steering wheel hub is safe to drill?
Baretone

 

[Sawatch 8N]

My later model has a hole & screw about 6" below the wheel on the front of the column, threads match zerk that takes a 3/8" wrench.

 

[8Nr--WI]

You don't have to drill and tap. Just remove this bolt and replace with a grease zerk.

1952 Serial #452913 and later the zerk was factory installed on the steering column as Sawatch describes is on his tractor.

Tim

 

[Sawatch 8N]

I just did some overhaul/adjustment to my steering gear unit and used Corn Head grease. Put one tube in before reassemble and then added another thru the colum zerk. The upper bearing is well lubed and everything works smoothly now.

 

[FLAcharlie]

that's just the BEFORE pic. See the link for both BEFORE and AFTER.
steering box cornhead grease zerk

 

[FLAcharlie]

Forgot to mention, that zerk fitting is from a wheel bearing re-pack kit, you can get from TSC.

 

[Baretone]

Thanks Tim and Sawatch,
If I Do the bolt replace thing will the grease get up to the bearing at the top of the shaft? I'm reading that JD corn head grease is the grease of choice.
Baretone

 

[Baretone]

Thanks FLAcharley,
You answered a whole bunch of questions!!!

 

[WayneIA]

If that's true, wander why Ford didn't continue using a grease fitting in the NAA, 6 and 800 series in stead of a pipe plug.

 

[R Geiger]

does your 52 have a screw on column between steering wheel and dash. If so the oil was added there.

 

[36 Coupe]

Its better to drill and tap that bolt.You can buy them already done.Any soft grease will do.

 

[8N'r--WI]

BT--I found the pic of the zerk in my 49 N.
Home Depot brass plumbing parts....this is a 2-piece unit..I found a zerk for my 51 N in a hardware store that didn't need anything adaptor....just screwed right in.

Tim

 

[souNdguy]

back then ford was still reccomending oil in those old boxes. I have a service bulletin fromn ford dated october 62 telling dealers to instead to put grease into those boxes.

removing and drilling and tapping a 7/16 bolt and addingf a zerk ain't hard.. and it keeps stuff lubed that normally wouldn't see any lube.

soundguy

 

[souNdguy]

look at that pic anr posted. get a spare grade 2 bolt ( 7/16coarse thread x 3/4 I think ).. drill thru it and tap for a zerk.

easy way to do it in the new style box.

soundguy

 

[GPO]

Thanks guys! I had to look twice to convince muself that that bolt hole went clear through. I'm in business now!

 

[souNdguy]

yep.. super easy to do.

soundguy