Early 8n steering box

[Lumpy]

Well, I decided to dive into the steering box on this mission creep 8n.... Besides it's the only thing left that needs attention. Ok, never had one apart so I'm doing this blind. Here's the low down.... Leaks oil out both sides around the arms and you can turn the steering wheel almost a half a turn before the arms move. Have not attempted any adjustments and I'm guessing that there are seals to replace. Advice and pictures more than welcome.

 

[Hewalog16]

I just did the aluminum gaskets on the sector arms of my 1947 8n. Fortunately the oil was leaking out of the cast bushings that attach the arms to the steering box. I unbolted the four bolts slid the arms out, cleaned everything up and installed new gaskets. Putting the arms back in can be a little tricky. Make sure your wheels are straight (sector arms should be evenly tilted back). When reinstalling left sector goes in first, then right hand sector. When you pull arms out take a peek inside with a flashlight. The Ford Shop Manual has great pics. Good luck. If it is the seals, you'll have to break down the steering sectors which is apparently not an easy job. I don't have any experience at this job yet so any other advice would helpful.

 

[souNdguy]

don't sweat it.. taking the box apart and putting it back together is a piece of cake. timing the gears is easy if you can count to 7 reliably, and have an fo-4, or average common sense.

bushings maybee, sector seals almost for sure, very likey top and bottom thrust bearings, if not races as well.. that and near a quart of 0 or 00 ep grease..

early boxes have backlash adjustments different than later boxes .. but the innards are a simple variation on a common theme.. no sweat..

soundguy

 

[Lumpy]

Chris,
Pops has a quart bottle of Snapper 00 gear box grease been sitt'in on the shelf for at least 10 years. Bet you can guess what ol'Lumpy's gonna do with that?! ;-)

Thanks fella's!

 

[souNdguy]

that snapper grease is a 00ep grease. I use the stens equivalent.. I buy it at the local lawnmower shop that sells it for 7.99 a 32oz squeezy bottle. I was soooo glad when he opened.. on one else sold 0 or 00 ep grease locally... snapper grease i could mail order.. but price prohibitive.. same with the equivalent stens.. now can get it locally..

good stuff.. I now use it in all the boxes I go thru. neet to eventually retrofit my older boxes that still seep some gear oil.. tired of hearing someone whine when they see a drip of gear oil on the side of a 50yr old tractor that's been out in the sun working a few hours..

you'll be fine with the box.. if you hit a snag, just post.

soundguy

 

[Lumpy]

ok, I will look into it. I figured doing a major engine o/h or hyd pump rebuild, this couldn't be to bad. Thanks again!

 

[Hewalog16]

Would the o or oo ep grease affect ease of steering? Also what does "EP" stand for?

 

[Lumpy]

Im guessing extreme pressure.

 

[souNdguy]

put this ont he same scal as rebuilding the belly pump or top cover..

 

[Eriklane]

Ya know, it is EASY in concept, but, it can be tricky to get the steering just right. Big trick-if you have to adjust once its back on, start with left side (with you facing front) first. And if your bushings inside each sector are bad, that's gonna affect leakage and steering and they're no fun to get out.

And go for the metal top bearing, not the cheapie plastic.

Read the manual, and there's not much to mess up, but I kept having troubles and had it on the bench over and over to get it right...shims, etc.

 

[Lumpy]

Gotcha Chris, because I've done both in the last month on this thing.

 

[souNdguy]

then yer home free baby!