Corn head grease in steering gear box

Derek38 · Feb 27, 2021

I have TO35 with a small leak in the steering box. Instead of replacing the seals I have read somewhere to replace the old lube with John Deere Corn Head Grease. Has anyone done this and had any problems? Other than the leak the box seems to be in great condition.

Jim L WA · Feb 27, 2021

I haven't done it, but from what I've read, it seems to work well.

JerryCPP(WA) · Feb 27, 2021

I used it when I overhauled my TO-20 and 8N several years ago. The steering had always leaked a bit on both, but I didn't replace any seals or bushings; all I did was adjust them. Both tractors get very little use, but haven't leaked a drop since.

Charles in Aus. · Feb 27, 2021

Mix everyday grease with gear oil and stir with a paint stirrer on a battery drill . Add oil till you have the fluidity you want or need . Pour into an empty caulking cartridge and inject it into the casing with a caulking gun .
Flowable grease like the JD cornhead or grease made for CV joints is very expensive compared to average graphite or bearing grease in Australia so I mix my own . It doesn't seperate if it's mixed well and you can adjust it to suit your application easily .
I use the same mix in flat belt pulleys as well .

Duner Wi · Feb 27, 2021

Charles, Read this if you have time.
https://knowhow.napaonline.com/greasy-situation-can-you-mix-grease/

rustred · Feb 27, 2021

that is all the old steering boxes had was grease before power steering. it was called steering box grease and came in tubes. u just
squeezed it it.

Mark-Ia · Feb 27, 2021

Works great

Derek38 · Feb 27, 2021

sounds great! After I put the front end back together (rebuilding spindles and replacing the axle pivot pin and bushing) I plan on removing the old lube and putting corn head grease in.

Bruce(OR) · Feb 27, 2021

Corn Head grease, NGLI rated 00, I got lazy and just picked up a tube from the JD dealer. I mixed in a zip lock bag 50/50 with 90W, cut off
the corner and squeezed it in. Grease by itself is not a sufficient lubricant as it runs away from metal surfaces under stress. The 90W mix
ensures that it stays around a bit longer. The higher viscosity should deter any leakage. Also of note is the upper steering bearing that can
be regularly serviced with a fitting screwed into the upper collar.

Charles in Aus. · Feb 28, 2021

Thanks Dinner, an interesting article . I don't mix grease with other grease types , rather I thin it with oil but I do see the possibility of additives clashing .
I use graphite grease mostly , thinned with heavy EP 90 gear oil , the tub I have mixed has sat on the shelf for a few years now , no separation of the fluids at all . I haven't had bearing or gear failure yet , I suppose only time will tell .

Duner Wi · Feb 28, 2021

Charles. If it has not separated after setting for a long time I should think your are fine.
The thing I know about oil and grease is, main thing is to have some.

Corn head grease in steering gear box

Derek38

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Jim L WA

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JerryCPP(WA)

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Charles in Aus.

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Duner Wi

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rustred

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Mark-Ia

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Derek38

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