Well, you warned me...

[Mike CA]

Yup, ya'll warned me that if I put regular oil in my upper bolster it could leak. "But my H is in great condition!" I thought. "Leak? HA!! I laugh at your leak!!"

Now I have 90wt oil pooling on my garage floor.

*sigh*

It was going to come out anyway so I can pull the radiator again. But since it's leaking I'll have to get some grease or something to put back in there.

 

[glennster]

mike pick up some corn head grease from your local jd dealer. works good, is a little creamier than axle or gun grease, but still has enough body not to leak out.

 

[Steven f/AZ]

Don't feel bad, mine are all filled with grease...

Hope the radiator bill doesn't make your eyeballs pop out!

 

[wonderingAl]

What is the "upper bolster"?

 

[Mike CA]

What is the "upper bolster"?

Well, whatever it's called. I just make stuff up as I go along. I was referring to where the steering gears meet at the front.

 

[john *.?-!.* cub owner]

In my area the parts places sell a grease called Red-N-Tacky. It is made for that type application.

 

[Oldiron29]

Mike, A frend of mine could not keep oil in the front bolster of his JD M he changed the seal and gaskets twice. He filled the bolster with grease and has had no problems. I no the bigest problem he has is it is an JD. oldiron29

 

[Anonymous-0]

A hardy endorsement of Glensters recommendation.

 

[glennster]

when you get and extra 150 or so laying around mike, order the rebuild kit from carter and gruenwald. has all the bearings, bushings and seals for the front bolster. the bushings can be pressed in or if you can find a sleeve puller , you can put them in that way. there is a seal in the bottom of the upper bolster that holds the oil in. before you put the main shaft back in, clean the sealing surface on the shaft with fine emery cloth or install a speedy sleeve on it. or just leave it and use corn head grease. or not. choices, choices, choices.

 

[Randy-IA]

I took 90w and grease in a 1-3 ratio ( or a little less oil ) and mixed the two with a beater till it was smooth and put that in mine after I put all new bushings and a seal in . Packed it down then poured some straight 90w on top and sealed it up . It hasn't leaked more than a tiny tiny bit since spring , just enough to keep the seals lubed . I haven't noticed any ill effects from mixing the two yet . ...Randy

 

[Janicholson]

Glensters JD corn head grease, or Mobil 1 synthetic grease Red in color and won't leak out. I had some on a snow blower auger bearing this afyternoon at 15 degrees and it was creamy yet. JimN

 

[City-Boy McCoy]

Mike: I agree with Glennster; cornhead grease is the best, because it is "wet" enough to stay against the gears (won't form an air pocket where they turn) and "dry" enough to not leak past the seals. I've used it for years in automobile gearboxes as well as tractors. Does the job. mike durhan