Steering box

[Ian D]

Hello Folks
I have asked about this before but just looking for more suggestions!
I have play between the steering worm gear and big gear on my Cub - some suggest filling the box with grease to take up the play?

I did take the casting and gears etc to a gear cutting company but as the worm is part of the shaft is would be far too expensive to cut a new worm/shaft

I am restoring this Cub to a vey high standard and I dont want free play in the steering - I have had the steering wheel key-way repaired and re-cut and I have bought a new steering wheel so everything is good up until the drive

Any suggestions would be very much welcomed!
Thank you

Ian
Scotland
UK

[Clip]

I think some members use corn head grease from JD because it flows better but is still very thick. Most use grease as gear lube runs out through the worn seals too easily, especially after everything is cleaned. I've refilled mine with a 140w gear oil and some Lucas gear oil additive. It's very thick, makes the steering remarkably smooth but still has some backlash and leaks enough to make the steering bolster look wet. I would recommend against using grease as it is near impossible to get out once it's in there. Stick with what was originally intended and make sure to get good sealing surfaces. Also remember to keep the breather on the fill plug unclogged and you won't build pressure when warm, reducing chances of leakage.

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

Rotating the big gear half a turn will sometimes help.

[Bob McCarty]

Ian, This may have been asked in an earlier post, but do you have both bronze bushings on the steering shaft (above and below the gear), and are the three in the steering box in good shape?

Bob

[Glen]

Hi,
I never had a new Cub, maybe someone reading here bought one new and remembers how much free play the steering had at the steering wheel. They might never have been made with no free play at the steering wheel, I don't know.

[Super A]

Grease won't help with the play/lost motion but I refuse to use gear oil in a steering box. I prefer corn head grease.

Al

[Don McCombs]

Not trying to get this thread off-topic, but would corn head grease be suitable to use in a bush hog gearbox with leaking seals?

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

Not trying to get this thread off-topic, but would corn head grease be suitable to use in a bush hog gearbox with leaking seals?

Many people do, also in the gear boxes of rotary mowers. It will still leak, but not nearly as bad. Tractor Supply sells cotton spindle grease which I believe is the same thing, though many stores do not stock it. If you order it on line it is still cheaper than buying from many places, even when you include shipping.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produc ... _vc=-10005

[Jim Becker]

TSC's cotton spindle grease is the next step thinner than Deere's corn head grease, NLGI grade 00 vs. grade 0.

[Don McCombs]

The cotton spindle grease sounds like just the ticket. It can be poured into the gear case instead of being pumped in. I'll see if our TSC has it. I doubt it, since there's not much cotton grown here in Mountain Maryland. Thanks, guys.

[Ian D]

Thank you all
I have had the top and bottom bushings and shaft measured and there is only 1-3 thou clearance so it would appear the shaft/bushings wear is minimal
I have the big core plug out of the front and I can look right in and see the back-lash when I rotate the steering input shaft left/right
The problem if I call it that - is the worm drive connecting with the big gear - it appears not be neat in connection
I have rotated the big gear on every different position on the splines but it makes little difference - it must have been rotated before - in fact it is worse in some positions as others
My wife works at our local JD dealer so I will get her to enquire about this corn head grease and I will also look on the internet
The challenge continues!
Regards
Ian

[Jim Becker]

Changing to corn head grease may reduce leakage out of the bottom of the gearbox, but I doubt it will make a measurable reduction in backlash. Have you eliminated all end play in both shafts?

[Rick Spivey]

Would another steering shaft be a possibility? I realize a used shaft is also somewhat a pig in a poke, unless you can buy from a very reputable reseller. Also, your location adds to the difficulty. But it might still be possible to find one with less wear.

[tinnerjohn]

How many tubes of cornhead grease does it take for the steering box? I'm going to give it a try in the Cub and 8N. Thanks, John