Farm Equipment - WD45 Steering box

WD45 Steering box

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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=196400
Printed Date: 12 Nov 2025 at 4:53am
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Topic: WD45 Steering box

Posted By: DSeries4
Subject: WD45 Steering box
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2023 at 8:55pm

It has been asked before, but what is the correct grade and quantity of oil to use in the steering box of a WD45? The manual is quite vague.

I know many people use corn head grease. I have replaced every seal in the unit, so I am quite confident that the oil should not leak out.

This is the one for my 1957 gasser. I have another one coming up very soon on my diesel. It has a plug where the crank rod goes through on the gas model - it appears to be leaking from there. Is the oil level typically that high on the diesel?

Many thanks!

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'49 G, '54 WD45, '55 CA, '56 WD45D, '57 WD45, '58 D14, '59 D14, '60 D14, '63 D15D, '66 D15II, '66 D21II, '67 D17IV, '67 D17IVD, '67 190XTD, '73 620, '76 185, '77 175, '84 8030, '85 6080

Replies:

Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2023 at 6:02am

When I did the front end 'upgrade' on my 45, pretty sure I put 90 weight in it. Now I'm not sure that it is correct but pretty sure it's better than nothing. On the downside, I had not replaced the seals and it has been leaking out ever since. If I live long enough it will get gone through. Otherwise, corn head grease!

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2023 at 6:44am

The hand crank shaft isn't sealed on any of those front ends are they ??? So, any oil you use will seep when the tractor is severely nose up or down. Put in it whatever you want, but lighter viscosity will seep more than heavier. From a WD-45 owners manual: Maintain oil level so the worm gear is 1/3 submerged on the level. Use SAE 140 oil unless it is a wide front end and then use SAE 250 weight oil.

Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2023 at 7:23am

I'm thinking corn head grease is rated as 200 wt?

Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 10:28am

Used 75-90 synthetic leaks easily....

Posted By: JoeM(GA)
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2023 at 11:28am

00 Grease in my WC, never had a problem

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Allis Express North Georgia
41 WC,48 UC Cane,7-G's,
Ford 345C TLB