Steering Gear Leak

[KJB34269]

The steering gear reservoir on my 1951 TO30 appears to be empty. At least I can't see or feel any fluid with the plug off and it does steer hard. However, with the front wheels off the ground, it steers easy. I'm wondering if I should just add light weight oil to identify the leak source. My other thought is to fill it with corn head grease and hope it doesn't leak. Any suggestions?

 

[Jim L WA]

Well, the simple way is to do the corn head grease trick. If you want to identify the leak, then you have to tear into it and fix it. But you already know all this.
I think it comes down to how much you use the tractor or want to keep everything as original as you can.

 

[KJB34269]

Thanks Jim. My tractors are very limited use. I will probably just do the corn head grease thing. Hopefully I get to it before we leave for Florida later this month. If not, it will be waiting for me in Spring .

 

[Charles in Aus.]

The leak will most likely be in the steel bottom plate and be difficult to find without dismantling it .
Mostly caused by water entering the steering column and sitting on the bottom . Empty it well before greasing .

 

[KJB34269]

The leak will most likely be in the steel bottom plate and be difficult to find without dismantling it .
Mostly caused by water entering the steering column and sitting on the bottom . Empty it well before greasing .

You are probably right Charles. But help me out here. How do I empty it without taking it apart?

 

[Charles in Aus.]

It's a terrible job and in hindsight if it is leaking then there is unlikely to be standing water left .
I use diesel and compressed air ; first to stir up sediment , then after removing it with a gearbox oil syringe flush with clean before adding the grease .
Soft flowing grease is prohibitively expensive here , I mix the grease I have with oil to dilute it and it seems to work well .
Getting the grease in is a trial , dont even consider a gun , you will need to shave your wiskers before you finish . Fill a heavy plastic bag with the grease, cut off a small piece of the corner and squeeze it in like using a cake icing bag . It helps to have the front end lifted so you can easily cycle the box to distribute the lubricant as you do .

 

[KJB34269]

It's a terrible job and in hindsight if it is leaking then there is unlikely to be standing water left .
I use diesel and compressed air ; first to stir up sediment , then after removing it with a gearbox oil syringe flush with clean before adding the grease .
Soft flowing grease is prohibitively expensive here , I mix the grease I have with oil to dilute it and it seems to work well .
Getting the grease in is a trial , dont even consider a gun , you will need to shave your wiskers before you finish . Fill a heavy plastic bag with the grease, cut off a small piece of the corner and squeeze it in like using a cake icing bag . It helps to have the front end lifted so you can easily cycle the box to distribute the lubricant as you do .

Thanks for that information.

 

[m16ty]

Fill it with corn head grease and roll on. I use corn head grease in everything from leaking steering gears to leaking bushhog gearboxes, works great.
I was a little concerned about using it in my bushhog gearbox, but after running it and checking with my temp gun, the box with the corn head grease was running cooler than they other 2 that still have gear oil in them.