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Well with everything off the frame, it was time to start working on the sub assemblies, I opened the plug on the steer assembly and first came the water the the pancake batter...... so I started taking it apart. and found what looks like grease mixed with water.




after cleaning the cam or worm gear looks like new, I haven't found anything in the TM yet, but I thought there should be a plastic retainer holding the ball bearings, I will have to look into that before re assembly.

the I took the steering column off the steering shat, and was surprised to find grease. lots of it.


I found the center of the steering shaft also full of grease.


I have heard a lot of decision on corn head grease to replace the 90 gear oil. I wonder what everyone thought are on this for the jeep.

One thing I have learned, one of my mules and this jeep were missing the nut on the steering wheel. I'm thinking that is how so much water is getting in the assembly.

Still trying to figure out how the horn rod set up works.

Wow Steve that is a lot of water.

You mean the horn button or cap is missing not the nut,
correct? My cap is also missing. I have not given it a thought
until now. I bet my box is full of that crap as well

On the M38 you push on the cap in the center of the steering wheel.
That pushes the horn rod that is supposed to be in the center
of tge steering tube. That actuates a switch on the other end,
at the bottom of the Ross steering box.

Take a look at your manuals. They should show everything.

Hey, at least everything isn't rusty!

Use the Ross Factory Steering Manual in our downloads section as well as your TM 9-1804B.

You can get away with greases in the southern states but I would stay with 80/90 gear oil up north.

yup that is what I think is happening, At the top be it a nut or the nut ring with the horn button missing. It funnels any water right down into the steering assembly. I've seen this on several different types of vehicles that have been sitting out side.
I was lucky there was grease/oil in the assembly that helped prevent more damage.
as for using grease instead of oil, I just really wondered about that. I have never done that, but I have been hearing more and more chat about it. They claim they haven't had any problems with using the grease, my question is have they opened the unit up and checked it?

Well I have to change directions again, the media blaster called time to start getting the rust knocked off

You'll quickly realize why grease is not a good idea on one of those Zero degree mornings when you try to turn the wheel.