Steering gearbox leaking

[gawiley]

Last summer I cleaned the weep hole in the plug and refilled the oil. I've noticed gear oil dripping from the front end right under the gear box. My question, is is possible to replace the oil seal without a major teardown. Or does it all have to come apart?

[Glen]

Hi,
The front end has to be disassembled some to replace the lower oil seal.
Remove the front axle, then the lower steering gear housing.
The Cub service manual has info in section 3, the steering gear section.
Below is the manual. There is an exploded pic on page 3-12.

http://farmallcub.com/rudi_cub/www.clea ... index.html

While it is apart is a good time to check and replace the steering gear bushings, if needed.
TM Tractor has parts, you can look at the pics to see what the bushings are.

Below is a pic from TM Tractor showing the seal in the housing.
The 5 bolts in a circle should be checked and kept tight, they can work loose from use.

[Crimson Tim]

First, I’d check that the weep hole is still clear. Once that gets plugged, it can pressurize the steering box enough to push oil through the seal.
Second, I’d check that the 5 bolts on the underside of the steering box are tight.
Third, what weight oil do you have in there? I believe 90 is standard, but people have used up to 140 weight to slow/stop leaks/put off repairs. Some people also use “corn head grease”, I think it’s called. It’s not really a grease, but it’s not really an oil, either. Others can explain that better. Actual grease grease isn't recommended, though, because it just moves out of the way and stays there, thus lubricating nothing.

Then, yes, it would be tear down time. You might not have to rebuild the whole thing. It might just need a gasket. Depends where the leak is coming from.

[gawiley]

If one takes the from axle off where do you support the tractor without breaking anything?

[Don McCombs]

If you have access to an engine hoist, use a nylon sling under the oil pan.

[gawiley]

Ill figure something out.Thanks guys

[Clubless]

Here is thread on how I removed front axle and replaced seal.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=105031

[Ruralguy57]

Hello,

I had a very similar problem last year. If you check out my old link some pages back, you can see exactly what I did with pictures etc. I put in heavy grease. Also, I pulled the steering gear out and cleaned that unit to make sure it is not full of crap. You have to make sure that the bronze ring is there. Put a bit of grease on the gear to hold the ring in place when you reinstall it so the ring don't fall off in the gear box itself. A side note, my `68 Cub Lo-Boy still leaks a bit after use. I place a piece of cardboard under the steering gear. It went from dropping about 1/2 cup at a time to dribbles. I can live with dribbles since I can't remove the axle from the front end of the tractor. A number of others in here have also done similar things as I showed.