Steering Pedestal Lubricant

[Bob Watkins]

John Deere Styled 1947 B sn 202247. What lubricant do I put in the top of the steering pedestal with the sector and worm gear? I have a service manual and operators manual but cannot find this in either?
I thought it was 90wt. gear oil but am not sure?
Thanks!
Bob

 

[jCarroll]

On my Dubuque tractors, seal and bushing wear means that 90 wt seeps out.

As an alternative, I use JDs Corn Head grease in the steering box.

 

[Richard in Bee]

Second John Deere picker head grease. A lot of IH guys use it on their older tractors, although they won't admit it.

 

[buckeye al]

A while back you were asking about possible causes for why that tractor steered hard. If you're looking for the lube I'm guessing maybe you found the problem & are putting it back together? Nose trouble makes me ask what did you find as a cause for being hard to steer? I'm not far from you & almost dropped in one evening but thought I had better call first.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

OP manual calls for "hypoid gear oil" which to me is SAE 90. Fill to even with the bottom of the sector gear. More than that will lead down the shaft.

 

[RandyB(MI)]

I use Lucas "red & tacky" ...works great,stays in and I will admit it.

 

[leon]

I have JD corn picker head grease in the steering boxes on my JD Model H and MT. Both leaked 90W even with new seals. Now no more leaks. I don't run these shed queens in the winter.

 

[quiltedlumber]

If you mix a regular wheel bearing grease and 90w , you create a "pourable" concoction that has served me well. You can experiment on the desired thickness (about 50/50)but I preferred a thick consistency that would self level in about 5 minutes. It has never leaked and always assured that I have lubrication.

I have gone back into the steering sector after a few years and found the mixture did not separate and was doing exactly as I was hoping for.

Hint- Don't use your wife's bowls , go to dollar store and leave it in the garage.

Good luck

 

[Bob Watkins]

Yes that was me. First I found the pedestal had some cracks in it, some were welded and maybe something didn't fit right. I found and purchased a used pedestal on E-Bay which was just a few miles from me. I disassembled everything that is replaceable on the used pedestal and am replacing it all to insure it is right when I put it on the tractor. When I took the sector off it had been broken and welded so I took the one off the old pedestal which looked good. I removed the eccentric bushing (under the sector) in both pedestals and the one on my original pedestal was nearly frozen on the shaft. I had an awful time getting it removed. It's a wonder the steering turned at all (seems that was the problem). After disassembling the lower bushing B101R and destroying it in doing so, I found there are none available. Having a local machine shop make one for us (Pricey). Painting the used pedestal so it looks nice like the rest of the tractor. Am close to ready to install, waiting on B101R.
Thanks for asking!
Bob

 

[Bob Watkins]

Thanks everyone for your replies!
Bob

 

[WGM]

There oughta be a law....

 

[buckeye al]

That's part of the adventure of working on these old machines. You just never know what yer gonna find! Glad you found this one & am sure it will steer nicely when finished!

Maybe one suggestion.... Set the lash between the sector gear & the worm shaft (adjusting the eccentric bushing) with the wheels turned hard right & hard left NOT straight ahead! The sector gear is likely worn more near straight ahead & I've seen 'em bind up at the stops when just right at the straight ahead position. I've also installed more than factory original thrust washers in the bottom of the pedestal to get the vertical center of the sector gear to line up with the center of the worm. They'll turn hard if the center of the sector is higher than the center of the worm.

Forgive me if you already knew all that.

Later.

 

[Bob Watkins]

Thanks! I did not know that! I have never worked on steering before.
Bob