I'm posting this for anyone that can't remember the last time they topped off their steering box and more importantly, for those that have never done it, or are thinking,"steering box grease?!"
I was replacing my front wheel bearings and races this morning and when it came time to pack the bearings I figured I'd go ahead and grease the entire front end, kingpins, steering joints etc. Then I figured I'd try and fill the steering box forcing out the old stuff. I had recently opened the fill on it and it appeared to be full. Well, long story a little shorter, I just pumped what seemed like damn near an entire tube in there and got very little old grease out. Other than the stuff packed in around the fill hole which made it appear full. Steering smoothness increase noticeably after I was done. Granted it's off the ground. But there was a slight grinding or vibration before and it wasn't as free wheeling.
For anyone whose never done this, this is how I did it, may or may not be the correct way. I took the tip off the gun so I could stick it down through the hole. Then when the the wheel is turned all the way in one direct which allows it to go down in there the farthest. Don't remember which direction, I think left. One way it won't go in far at all the other it will go in there 2" or more. Then I pumped and pumped until I got all fresh looking grease out and slowly pulled the tube out while still pumping to top it off. Then, important, put the plug back in. Then turned the wheel all the way to the opposite direction. Remove the plug and if there is space, filled. If not started turning the wheel back in the opposite direction and the grease starts dropping. Stop, fill, turn more, fill etc. Till the wheel is all the way back in the original direction. Replaced plug, repeat until I was satisfied it was completely packed with grease. You can't overfill the box from what I have read, if over filled it will come out of the input shaft.
This site is helpful:
http://www.stangerssite.com/lubrication.html
I couldn't find a "ford type" moly fortified grade 1 grease at any of the local auto parts places. Only grade 2. So I went with Mobil 1 synthetic grease. People complain that it drips, so I think it will be good for the steering box. Pricey though for what it is. I'm not saying it's the right grease to use, just that it's what I used. I guess Ford sells a grease specifically for this purpose. I use Mystik JT6 High Temp, no moly, for everything else.
I was replacing my front wheel bearings and races this morning and when it came time to pack the bearings I figured I'd go ahead and grease the entire front end, kingpins, steering joints etc. Then I figured I'd try and fill the steering box forcing out the old stuff. I had recently opened the fill on it and it appeared to be full. Well, long story a little shorter, I just pumped what seemed like damn near an entire tube in there and got very little old grease out. Other than the stuff packed in around the fill hole which made it appear full. Steering smoothness increase noticeably after I was done. Granted it's off the ground. But there was a slight grinding or vibration before and it wasn't as free wheeling.
For anyone whose never done this, this is how I did it, may or may not be the correct way. I took the tip off the gun so I could stick it down through the hole. Then when the the wheel is turned all the way in one direct which allows it to go down in there the farthest. Don't remember which direction, I think left. One way it won't go in far at all the other it will go in there 2" or more. Then I pumped and pumped until I got all fresh looking grease out and slowly pulled the tube out while still pumping to top it off. Then, important, put the plug back in. Then turned the wheel all the way to the opposite direction. Remove the plug and if there is space, filled. If not started turning the wheel back in the opposite direction and the grease starts dropping. Stop, fill, turn more, fill etc. Till the wheel is all the way back in the original direction. Replaced plug, repeat until I was satisfied it was completely packed with grease. You can't overfill the box from what I have read, if over filled it will come out of the input shaft.
This site is helpful:
http://www.stangerssite.com/lubrication.html
I couldn't find a "ford type" moly fortified grade 1 grease at any of the local auto parts places. Only grade 2. So I went with Mobil 1 synthetic grease. People complain that it drips, so I think it will be good for the steering box. Pricey though for what it is. I'm not saying it's the right grease to use, just that it's what I used. I guess Ford sells a grease specifically for this purpose. I use Mystik JT6 High Temp, no moly, for everything else.