8N steering shaft bearing

I am in the process of going thru my steering gear box on my 47 8N. Just received my parts from YT and I noticed a hard felt material on the bottom side of the bearing that is not on the bearing I took out. This is the bearing on the end of the tube right below the steering wheel. Does anybody know what this is for? It looks like it was intended to be there but I do not know the purpose. It is right on the end of the "cup" or the portion of the bearing that gets pressed into the tube and just above this ring that looks like it holds the bearing together. The diameter of it is smaller than the "cup". If this is some kind of seal, what is it sealing? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Keeps water out.

(quoted from post at 18:51:35 04/25/18) Keeps water out.

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Makes sense. Thanks a bunch.
I have another question.
I have read posts on using corn head grease for a lubricant in this gear box. Is this grease thin enough to get into the steering sector bushings? I was thinking about drilling a hole in the sector housing and installing a grease fitting to allow grease to get onto the shafts. Any thoughts on this.

Brian-
Many of our N's have worn steering boxes/gears, a lot due to lack of PM over the years, a lot due to plain old wear and tear. The original 8N Operator's Manual shows to lube the steering box, you remove the wheel acorn nut and pour hydraulic oil down the shaft. That worked fine when box was new and seals were good. Once seals fail, the oil will just leak out all over. I suppose you can use this as a test to determine if your seals are worn out but expect to have a big cleanup project the next day. Years ago I had read about fellas recommending the use of cornhead grease in the steering box so I tried it. Since my early 8N steering box was in need of a rebuild, and it still is, I decided to make some new plugs to replace the original ones on both the early and late boxes. The early boxes use a 1/4 NPT plug on the lower RH column behind the dash. Later boxes used a 7/16-14 hex head bolt. I bought some stock of each, drilled and tapped for the Zerk Fittings and installed them so now greasing the column was an easy job. I may have a few extra so email me if interested. The cornhead grease was poo-poo'd later as not a good steering box lube as it will harden in cold weather, may melt in hot and end up dripping as well. Some recommend using 90/140 Oil or a CNH Pourable HI EP oil. With my worn out box, it is a lot easier to lube and no more messy oil leaks. Pulling the box and R&R'ing it is the solution, but not on my big priority list right now. Whatever media is used, by adding a modified lube plug, it makes the job easy and less messy.

FORD 8N STEERING BOX MODIFIED LUBE FITTINGS, EARLY & LATE:

EARLY 8N STEERING BOX MODIFIED LUBE FITTING:

Tim *PloughNman* Daley(MI)

Thanks for your input. I did as you mentioned and put in cornhead grease. I am not worried about cold weather as I do not use the tractor after October. Got the steering box put back together now working on starter and carburetor issues. I need more hours in the day or another day in the week so I can get this thing done.

Tim gave you great advice regarding the Corn Head Grease. I just wanted to add that you must fill the gear box and the column to effectively lube the top bearings. Fill until it comes out beneath the steering wheel. May have to wipe grease for awhile but the top bearing is usually the first to fail without proper lube.