cornhead grease

[ooticamitica]

So i went to the john deere dealer in my town to get cornhead grease for my 8n's steering box that im rebuilding, they dont have it and wont order it unless i buy a 30 pack. Anyone know of a source online to get it? or an alternative like something napa carries?

 

[ClarkR]

If you have a Snapper mower dealer/parts place, they may have the Snapper 00 grease.

 

[ooticamitica]

i think they sell snapper actually i'll look up if they do i am trying to avoid driving 34 miles for grease...

 

[ooticamitica]

so this snapper oo grease is the same? i want something in form of a grease cartridge so the upper bearing stays lubed and my box doesnt leak. there are 4 dealers within 10 miles

 

[Bruce (VA)]

If you are rebuilding the box, as in all new seals, skip the grease & use the oil it was designed to use. Just add a fitting to allow you to add oil later. The grease is a quick fix for leaking boxes that folks don't want to rebuild.
50 Tips

 

[ooticamitica]

i have new seals just was thinking for the long run. i got the donor shaft from a box with grease in it and it is in amazing shape both bearings are perfect(still have new ones to use)

 

[ClarkR]

I believe the Snapper grease is a little thinner than the cornhead. I'm not an expert, but I believe the cornhead is 0 and the Snapper 00. The Snapper grease that I have seen comes in a squeeze bottle similiar to gear oil. As Bruce said, if you're rebuilding the box, its cheap to put in new seals. I believe any pourable/flowable grease will work. Your ATV dealer may also have something that will work. I believe some of those boxes also take 0 grease.

 

[Dean]

I recommend CNH EP Oil.

It's sold by CNH dealers in quart bottles. Pourable but much thicker than 90W and has EP additives.

Alternatively, cornhead grease in tubes is also available at MF dealers.

Dean

 

[Jimmyjack]

Cornhead grease works very well in old or new boxes.

 

[Wisconsin Cowman]

Try a Agco or CNH dealership.

 

[Greybeard PA]

I drained my '51 N box of oil, installed a zerk in the upper right hand bolt hole and pumped two tubes of JD corn head into mine - it's green, by the bye - and just as I was finishing up the secod tube, it started to come out the top of the shaft at the vent hole underneath the steering wheel, and facing towards the seat, so I know it's plumb full. Pretty amazing stuff, and only cost three bucks and change a tube locally. Even JD lawn mower dealers carry this stuff - that's where i got mine.

Good Luck
Dave Erb
New Holland, PA

 

[Ultradog MN]

[i:654c4848f0]The grease is a quick fix for leaking boxes that folks don't want to rebuild.[/i:654c4848f0]

The question Bruce is, what constitutes a rebuild?
If a guy is going to go through the expense of new sector shafts, new sector bushings and new seals then I agree that the OEM type gear oil is satisfactory.
However, if you've priced those items new lately you will find they don't come cheap.
I have a steering box that the right sector shaft got hammered somewhere along the line. It's bent about .006 Still works just fine - steering adjusts up good and tight but it continued to leak even after I "rebuilt" the box. I replaced the seal on that side twice. So I did the cornhead grease trick. I still get a slight bit of grease that oozes out of there but part of my normal walk around on that tractor is to take a rag and wipe around that shaft to keep it from dripping all over the tranny. One new sector, bushings and seal would cost in the $200 range. 2 tubes of Cornhead grease and a zerk were about $11.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

If I had the choice (as you did) between buying a new sector shaft to replace one .006 out, or using grease, I'd do exactly as you did: use grease!

 

[ooticamitica]

the box has new seals and i have a zerk on the bolt for the dash support where the grease hole is, i figured they would have it but they dont and the closet new holland dealer is 50 miles away, im gonna have to drive to the dealer 25miles from me i guess its not a bad drive i know where about it is.

 

[36 Coupe]

You can use cup grease.Just finished my can.Many cartridge greases are very soft.No need to pay triple for soft grease.

 

[jon]

Here's one source for a multi fit & here's the Real McCoy from JD.

 

[D Squared]

When I bought my N I was not aware of this forum. The steering box rattled so I filled it with 90w oil. It leaked out for quite a while till it was dry again. I filled it with chasis lube with my grease gun. Worked great. No leaks since.

 

[Dean]

No. Snapper 00 lube is not the same as cornhead grease but is likely better for steering boxes. It is sold in bottles and is somewhat pourable. I do not know if it has EP additives.

JD or MF cornhead grease is the easiest solution for leaking Ford steering boxes because it can be easily installed with a lever action grease gun but it is not the best lubricant.

Dean

 

[don b 1]

Ultra and Bruce......I'm not trying to start a fight but I have to agree with Ultra.
IMHO....the grease will last a very long time,therefore protecting that upper bearing a whole lot longer.Once the seal goes bad,it don't take much for the oil level to go down and then the bearing will go.Could also cause other bigger damage in the lower portion of the steering box. don b1

 

[don b 1]

Dean.....would mine explaining this statement?
JD or MF cornhead grease is the easiest solution for leaking Ford steering boxes because it can be easily installed with a lever action grease gun but it is not the best lubricant.


don b1

 

[souNdguy]

I agree EP would be nice.. but I'd take any lube to no lube. I think that's all the others are saying.. IE.. if it's not economically feasable to make it a non leaker.. at least keep it lubed with something.

Am I remembering cirrectly that you could put 50w engine oil in their steering boxes? I may not be.. i may be thinking of another brand. IMHO.. 50w engine oil would be my last choice.. prefering grease or gear oil first.

I wonder if marine lower end lube might be a good idea? of course the price would be nearly as stiff as the lube

soundguy

 

[Devious]

Hey soundguy, Yrs ago I used tomix a real thick OIL ADDITIVE with the 90 wt I used in my goosneck trailer axles. I can t recall the name of it but it was VERY thick and would thin up some with the 90 wt gear oil as it rolled along and warmed up. Lost of guys I knew used it and I was thinking with no more travel that the steering gets that something like that would work cause it really stays on the bearings well. Does a great job in the bearing buddies on the trailers. It is like trying to pour very thick molassas and it cones in a small container. I think some race car guy pushed it back in the day, Like Andy Granatelli?? maybe. Man I wish I could remember like I used to. I also recall we used it after warming it up as a Lycoming aircraft engine build up oil after over haul and it sure stayed on the main and rod bearings there also. Devious

 

[souNdguy]

perhaps something like lucas oil stabilizer or something?

soundguy

 

[Devious]

Hey soundguy now I recall, it was STP that we used that was so thick . Don t know if it is still around or not. I am gonna check cause now that I have remembered it, I know I need some for this life I am living now. Devious

 

[souNdguy]

yep.. stp oil treatment is still around.

I've used that rebuilding a lawnmower before, when i didn't have any real assembly lube.

soundguy