Steering gear box replacement parts

[MikeZ]

Does anyone know where I might be able to get parts to rebuild or service the steering gear box on my 1951 Henry J?
I have a bad leak in the steering gear shaft seal. If I can find the part, I would like to replace the seal.

A buddy told me that lots of guys with old cars just use bearing grease in the box rather than 90 weight gear oil. I live in California so I probably could get away with the grease getting stiff because it doesn't get all that cold here. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Any other suggestions?

[retired wrench]

 What a lot of people are using is John Deere corn head grease.

[Fid]

The seal is available from NAPA. Part number NOS 11081.

It's best to use a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm.


When it's off, you don't even need to remove the old seal, just clean the surface and install the new one.

This is mine. I just used a banana knife and cleaned the surface up, then installed the new one right on top of the old one - there's plenty of room to do so, plus the old one is a bear to get out.
Here's how it looks when done -

Fill it with lube you're good to go.

[MikeZ]

Thanks a lot FID!!!!! Your a life saver!
I wish I had posted this to the forum sooner. I have been going crazy trying to find the part on the internet.
Also, I was thinking I might have to remove the whole gear box to get the old seal out!
I wasn't real crazy about the grease idea.

You are truly a hero to us Henry J owners.

[Fid]

I've done this on three cars now, and I know others who have too. Works great.
I should add you need a big wrench / socket to get that nut off. None of my crescent wrenches would open wide enough. I ended up going to Sears and buying a socket. I think it's a 1 1/8" but don't remember for sure. I'll have a look and let you know. You could just measure yours too or perhaps you have a crescent that will open wide enough.

[MikeZ]

I didn't have the proper puller but I was able to use a generic 3 prong puller.
Believe it or not I actually had a socket, I think I also used it on the nut on the front of the crank shaft as well.

On another note, I am also installing a remote fill kit for the master cylinder. There is a pin that connects the brake pedal to the bracket at the cross member and the push rod. That connection has to come apart to get the master cylinder out of the car as far as I can see.
The pin is free at the pedal but is frozen solid on the push rod. So far I have tried everything but heat to get it loose.

I will probably need to find a replacement pi and try to cut it off with a Dremel tool.

I think this Henry J. has set in a field somewhere for years at some time in it's life. Everything I do to it is a struggle!

If anyone has any suggestions, please jump in there!

[StillOutThere]

The Studebaker guys created an outstanding steering gear lubricant for manual steering boxes.  Its available from Studebaker Int'l.  I have it in multiple cars and all stopped leaking... period.  Steering is much easier now that the box keeps its grease!