MF135 grease in the steering box / column

[frode]

I was going over my 1970 MF135 with the grease gun yesterday. The tractor has been sitting outside in the elements for a while before I got it, and some grease points required a lot of grease (I must have used over half a cartridge just on the front wheels).

So, as I progress, I notice that there is a grease nipple on the steering wheel column, just below the steering wheel itself:



This tractor does not have power steering, by the way. I attach the grease gun, and squeeze.. and squeeze.. and squeeze.

Now, I'm new to this, but the rule of thumb I've been told is that you pump grease in there "until you see some grease movement" (i.e. between the rubbing parts / or openings). Perhaps at some point, I should have realized that there is a limit to this rule of thumb, but I might have done 30-40 pumps of the grease gun.

At that point, I noticed some oil started leaking out from the steering box, as shown here:



So I had a bit of an "uh-oh" moment, and went to check the service manual. However, the manual doesn't show any grease nipple on the steering column. The location of the leak is the bushing that holds the rocker shaft for the right hand side.



Further, after reassembly of a steering box, the manual says:

19. Fill the steering box with recommended oil to the plug level and refit the plug (12).

So, it seems clear to me that I have pumped a not insignificant amount of grease into the steering box, which now consequently contains a mix of oil and grease (regular chassis grease).

I understand that some older tractors in fact replaced the oil in the steering box with grease, as it was prone to leaking. Perhaps this is why a grease fitting was added to the steering column on mine? But from what I've read so far, it was a different viscosity grease than regular chassis grease.

The question is, what would the recommended steps be to remedy my.. ahem.. little mistake? Do I need to disassemble the whole steering system and clean it out? I realize that's the most likely answer, but how critical is it? (E.g. can I use the tractor lightly/sporadically as it is right now, and fix it in a few weeks when I have more time, or will this completely ruin the steering box?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[shovelmike]

It appears that someone added the grease fitting to remedy a squeaking or binding steering shaft, I don't think you've done any harm to the gearbox. The chassis grease will probably lubricate the gears as well or better than the lighter viscosity grease, and less seepage past seals. In short, I don't think I would bother with disassembly, I would use the tractor.

 

[shaeff]

It appears that someone added the grease fitting to remedy a squeaking or binding steering shaft, I don't think you've done any harm to the gearbox. The chassis grease will probably lubricate the gears as well or better than the lighter viscosity grease, and less seepage past seals. In short, I don't think I would bother with disassembly, I would use the tractor.

I agree with Mike, at this rate it's probably fine. It's a low speed gearbox anyway. Lots of people replace the gear oil in brush hogs with leaky seals in their gearboxes with cornhead grease. It's a solid, kinda, until it warms up but it stays thick. There's more than one way to skin a cat!

(though, I'm not sure why anyone would want to skin a cat. )

 

[frode]

Thank you, shovelmike and shaeff, you have put my mind more at ease. I will just keep an eye on it for now, and have a closer look at the steering box when time allows.

 

[Agvg]

But that advice about greasing until something moves or grease become visible is not a good advice when greasing bearings or other things except bushings or things that has a natural escape for the grease.

 

[Agvg]

And you have probably broken the seals on the wheel bearings.

 

[shovelmike]

But that advice about greasing until something moves or grease become visible is not a good advice when greasing bearings or other things except bushings or things that has a natural escape for the grease.

As an automotive technician I agree, if the assembly contains a seal, adding grease until it exits ruins the seal. Two pumps of a manual gun is enough for ball joints, ujoints and such.
For pivot pins on loader etc. with no seal, sure, it's OK to pump until you see grease.

 

[frode]

Yeah, lesson learned, and in hindsight something I should have realized while I sat there pumping like a mad man..

I need to change tires soon regardless, so I will check the wheel bearings. Takk, agvg

 

[redman135]

Hello Frode, Did you grease the front axle pivot? There are 2 grease nipples to grease and they are easily over looked, especially on the bent axle models.

 

[redman135]

Also, don't stress out over the grease in the steering box. If the seal fails and lets the oil out the grease will save the steering box.
Generally the seals fail from age and the oil leaks out and the steering box seizes or gets very stiff and needs to be replaced.