Re: Steering Grease

Posted by Bob Bidonde on July 28, 1998 at 06:57:53

In Reply to: Steering Grease
posted by Al Wood on July 27, 1998 at 19:18:22

I have used synthetic grease succesfully for 30K miles in one of my Model A's. Nobody really knows what is in so called 600W and by the way, Ford never mentions 600 oil in any of its Model A era literature. 600 oil leaks out of the steering box and the oil level soon becomes too low to be effective at the worm gear.
If you faithfully maintain the lubricants, 600 and grease will work. 600 is definitely the messy and archaic way to go. The Ford grease noted in the article is supposed to be especially formulated for steering gear use and likely an ideal lubricant to use. Factory parts & materials have a reputation of being far superior to other alternatives.
Many restorers are influenced by a service bulletin that says grease should not be used in the steering. Grease in 1930swas very poor, a mixture of animal fat, wax, soap, oil and other things. This stuff had a short shelf life - it becomes rancid and corrosive. Today we have marvelous synthetic greases to use, so the service bulletin is no longer appropriate re the taboo on grease in the steering.
Perhaps proof that 600 and similar oils are not such good lubricants is the severe gear and bushing wear found on steering gears removed from most unrestored Model A's.

Follow Ups:
Re: Steering Grease Glen Weilbaker July 28, 1998 at 08:11:11(0)

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