Outer Steering Column Issues

[Nic]

Guys

It was all going so well!!!!!

I have just noticed an oil leak coming from the base of the steering column outer jacket (WO-804391) where it mates up with the cover Pt No (RG-126023) It is coming from the notch which is cut out of the Outer Jacket it doesn't appear to be seated fully leaving a small void where the oil is leaking out of.

For some reason decided to take a picture and there is a small crack at the top of the steering column notch obviously caused by vibration etc..

Question... Can you replace the outer jacket simply by removing steering wheel, bracket under dash, and bracket that holds outer jacket to steering box and slide off?

Would you replace complete outer jacket for new or get the original crack welded?

No Idea how to post the picture I'm afraid, any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Regards

Nic

[wesk]

An oil leak at the top of the gear box is indicative of over servicing weather you have the early unsealed mast jacket or the later sealed mast jacket.

[4x4M38]

Unless he’s been driving at extreme angles!!!

[Nic]

Appreciate the reply guys

4x4...I have not been driving at extreme angles, just noticed this issue on the initial shake down drive.

Wesk... By over servicing do you mean I have put too much oil in the Gearbox?

If I decide to replace the cracked outer jacket does it just slide off as I pertained to in my original post?

Thank you for your advice thus far.

Regards

Nic

[wesk]

yes, over serviced means the oil level is too high IE above the filler port.

The mast cover should slide right off after you remove the wheel, the dash clamp, the firewall plate and the pinch clamp.

The mast is not responsible for sealing the top of the gear box to keep oil in, so the crack should not be a major issue. You do not say weather you have the early or late column. The late column has a seal inside the cover you mentioned above but that was added to keep water out, not keep the oil in.

I would stay focused on the oil leak and the oil level. Also what type of oil are you running? It's very difficult for some folks to locate a suitable lubricant that will not be too thick or too thin. A 600 weight antique ford differential oil works quite well.

If you do not plan on any deep water fording operations I would ignore the crack in the mast.


Early M38 steering gear


Late M38 steering gear

[Nic]

As always Wes thank you for your reply, has put my mind at rest somewhat. I am using at present Castrol Classic Gear Oil SAE EP-140 in the steering box, so quite a thick oil. ( looking at info it doesn't look to far in weight from 600w)

I will check the level of the oil in the box and draw some out if necessary.

Also I have a late column mast setup.

Thank You

Nic

[Mike_B]

Check out Penrite Steering Box Grease... I've used it for years in my old cars and trucks.

Mike B

[wesk]

The Ross gear box was not meant to use grease. It needs a gear oil so the oil will migrate up to the ball bearing. Also grease will ruin your winter driving up north. The steering forces will wear you out.

[Mike_B]

Grease may have been the wrong word to use, it's a Lube made just for steering boxes.

You can get it here;

https://www.restorationstuff.com/ecomme ... cts_id=710

Please let me know if this lube is not acceptable in the Willys Jeep steering box...I use it in all of my 1950's Chevy Trucks.

Thanks,

Mike B

[wesk]

It's good stuff but it is still a grease. I would stick to gear oils with weights down at 600 and under. Did you look over the illustration of the gear box above? That bearing sets about 1 1/2" above the oil in the gearbox. If we can't get splash oil up on it accelerated wear of the bearing will occur.

In addition it is an EP grease which usually has a hi-sulpher content which is not good for brass bushings. EP type lube is really not needed in a Ross gearbox.