Diesel in the steering box?

Royse · Mar 12, 2015

I had a few minutes to play with the crispy Jubilee, taking stuff
off so I could clean it better. I notice this grease zerk and figured
someone had filled it the steering box with cornhead grease.

But when I took the nut off the steering wheel diesel fuel erupted
out of the center of the shaft quite violently! It sprayed 6 feet
easily and doused me quite well. Good thing I wear glasses!
You can see some of it on the fender and tire in this picture.
I did notice that this tractor steered easier than any other NAA
I have driven, but I have never heard of pumping one full of
diesel. Anyone else heard of this or done it themselves?

souNdguy · Mar 12, 2015

My guess is that someone pumped it full of #2 grease, and then figured they'd add in some diesel and make their own 0 or 00 grease? Who knows. I'm surprised the seals held that good.

Now did you say it came from tube center, or just under steering wheel once you loosened the acorn nut. Steering tube not vented.

Royse · Mar 12, 2015

Tube center. I took the nut off with an impact wrench and even
after I had the nut all the way off there was a geyser that filled
the center hole of the tube, albeit far less pressure by then.
I'm sure the spinning impact wrench added to the "fling" now
that I think back on it, but it was still a good bit of pressure.

John Smith8N · Mar 12, 2015

The hollow center in the steering shaft is closed at the bottom and has no access to the internals of the steering box. Anything in the center of the tube would have come from there only. Heaven only knows why someone would fill the hollow tube with diesel.

Royse · Mar 12, 2015

That's interesting John, I'll have to look closer to see what's
going on. I don't think their is any way they could have gotten
that much fluid into a closed tube, let alone pressurize it.
I think that's what souNdguy was saying too.

This was a pretty quick episode in wearing diesel fuel, but I am
nearly certain it came out of the tube center.
Maybe my eyes were deceiving me?

The steering wheel did come off fairly easily. A few raps upward
with a 3 lb maul. Of course, it had already been heated by the fire.

I didn't see any signs of leakage prior to removing the nut.
Not at the steering wheel or at the steering arms. Just the
normal grease build up from previous leaks at the later.

souNdguy · Mar 12, 2015

If it came from the center, the heat pressurized it. As said its not vented.

Royse · Mar 12, 2015

Granted, heat could have pressurized it. I still don't see how just
the tube could have held the amount of fluid that came out of
there, nor why anyone would fill it!

Joan was standing out there watching, she got sprayed as well.
Her eyes say a geyser from the center of the tube too.

What's the easiest way to find out what oil/grease is inside the
gearbox? Remove that grease zerk probably?

I still have another NAA gearbox around if I need to replace it.
Sad if I have too, because like I said, other than the one I put
PS on it steers easier than any other 53+ utility I've driven.

Tall T · Mar 12, 2015

Royse,

As long as you don't underestimate raw diesel on your skin like so many do. A guy on this island was working on the ferries when there was a big diesel spill in Long Harbor way back before a lot of enviro cautions. They were using big sponges and apparently bare hands from what I heard. Well the guy, Bob Walde is known around here for having something akin to aids because his immune system was totalled by that diesel cleanup and he's seriously allergic to practically everything now.

Take care,
Terry

Gaspump · Mar 13, 2015

Don't know much about prior care of that tractor but the diesel in the steering box recalls my work in my offshore const. and salvage days. In every instance where machinery went overboard or sunk, small engines to 3000hp tugs included the first thing on raising them was to first clean, drain all water and fluids and secondly fill engines(pickle them) and sumps to the brim with diesel. This prevented rapid onset of rust and corrosives, then the equipment was sent to company shops for rebuild or to salvage usable parts. It was surprising how many pieces of equipment survived. Salt water was tough on aluminum but even then even many Detroit Diesels survived by replacing damaged aluminum parts!

JMOR · Mar 13, 2015

(quoted from post at 23:15:37 03/12/15)
Royse,

As long as you don't underestimate raw diesel on your skin like so many do. A guy on this island was working on the ferries when there was a big diesel spill in Long Harbor way back before a lot of enviro cautions. They were using big sponges and apparently bare hands from what I heard. Well the guy, Bob Walde is known around here for having something akin to aids because his immune system was totalled by that diesel cleanup and he's seriously allergic to practically everything now.

Take care,
Terry

e**, I have used diesel as hand cleaner all my life! He has other problems.

wellmax99 · Mar 13, 2015

I can not explain the mystery of the fluid under pressure in a steering gearbox.

but just be thankful you were wearing safety glasses, many folks just will not wear them, then the unexpected happens,

working on this old or new stuff, you never know when or where it's going to come from.

if it were mine, there would not have been a spray of oil, as I never have a gear box that will hold oil, they leak and I fill then will corn head grease and motor on.

be safe,

ZANE · Mar 13, 2015

The steering shaft does not lead anywhere. It is
hollow and no hole in it so adding anything to it
goes nowhere but down the hole?????

To get oil down the steering tube jacket I have
drilled a hole in the side of them under the
steering wheel to put oil on the top thrust
bearing.

Zane

NoNewParts · Mar 14, 2015

probably just an error on the previous owners part.
Like said, he pumped heavy grease into the box,
and wanted to add some diesel to thin it. Saw that hole and thought it would lead to the box. It didn't.

Doesn't take much pressure or much fluid to get a bath...
and coat the tractor....walls...ceiling...
Reminds me of the first time I removed the fill plug on a Farmall SC hydraulic chamber after shutdown.......

You know your stuff....so you know...if it ain't broke......
steers nice?....keep pumping gear oil in it to soften the old grease....and run it

Diesel in the steering box?

Royse

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souNdguy

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Royse

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John Smith8N

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Royse

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souNdguy

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Royse

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Tall T

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Gaspump

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JMOR

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wellmax99

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ZANE

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NoNewParts

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