Leaking Ross Stearing Box

I rebuilt my Ross steering box and filled it with 90w gear oil. It all leaks out in about an hour but I cannot figure out where the leak is coming from. Is this fairly common? I have heard I should be using a heavier weight gear oil (140w).

 

In the bottom of the gear box is a hole that is supposed to have a sleeve in it for the horn wire. Sounds like yours is missing. See you are not far from me so will tell you I filled mine with gear grease because we don't get real severe cold weather down here. Works fine for me.

 

I was thinking grease would work better since gear oil is more for fast moving parts. I read somewhere that gear oil is correct. The bottom of my box was missing the rubber stopper so I replaced it with a similar one and sealed it. It is not leaking form the bottom. But yes, I am inclined to try gear grease.

 

Grease won't properly lubricate the wear surfaces of the worm and pinion pins. The designers intended for these boxes to use gear oil.
Check to see if the pinion shaft bushing is worn, if it is then the seal will be shot as well. Look for axial slop in the pinion shaft.
If you have a rubber plug in the bottom hole where the horn wire originally came out of, then that leak potential should be sealed up.
The only other place gear oil could go is out the pinion shaft seal or possibly the side cover gasket.

Don

 

Thanks Don. That clears alot uo for me!

 

Note that when you insert the grease, you fill all cavities. The steering gear moves so slow you will be dragging the worm gear completely through and around the grease. I will keep the grease in mine as I know it works in this not so severe weather.

 

Is the concern that the grease will get harder in cold weather and prevent the worm gear from turning? I do not see that as an issue in warm to hot weather.

 

I just watched a Walcks video about not using grease in the steering box. The problem is the moving parts push the grease out of the way and there goes your lubrication. They recommend 140 Wt oil.

 

Not an issue in our cold weather either because the exhaust manifold will heat up the grease. It's not like our vehicles are freezing down to -40 here in the south.

 

Then why doesn't that happen in a wheel bearing? I can see that happening if the box is not full of grease..

 

Walt, I really can't say why, I'm just passing on what Walcks said. Can I make up an answer? (just kidding)

I took a look in my FSM, and it recommends 80w for the Ross steering box. I wonder how I can tell what's in mine?

 

Currently rebuilding mine, also.

There is also a passage that runs up between the brass bushings on the sector shaft. It would seem that grease wouldn't "travel" to the bushing like 140wt.

 

Wheel bearings and associated grease get heated up and flow easily. Plus centrifugal force and the extra greas acts as a reservoir to keep the bearings lubricated. The steering gear never gets warm enough (at least shouldn't) for that to happen. Plus no centrifugal force to fling it around.


Sent from my iPhone

 

I am running straight STP in my steering box, and in the knuckles. It's thick enough not to run out, but still flows.

 

How would knuckle pudding work?

 

Should work very well.


Sent from my iPhone